#my birthday present to myself was finally finishing this damn fic

[broomballkraken]

Title: As in Coffee, As in Life Chapter 13: I Get to Love You

Fandom: Octopath Traveler 2

Pairing: Osvald/Partitio

Word count: 3519

Warnings: None

Fic Summary: “A bit o’ sweetness helps everythin’ along. As in coffee, as in life.” That was the mantra of Partitio and Roque Coffee Company. Partitio’s first customer on the opening day of the café, however, very much disagreed with this philosophy…well, the coffee part of it anyway.

After learning more about Osvald, Partitio is determined to bring a little sweetness into the crestfallen professor’s life, whether he is ready for it or not.

Chapter Summary: It’s Osvald and Partitio’s wedding day, and both men feel incredibly blessed that they get to love each other for the rest of their lives.

♪One look at you

My whole life falls in line♪

It was a beautiful spring day in New Delsta. The sunrise had dried the grass that had been shimmering with dewdrops and gradually warmed the crisp, chilly air. Most of the people in the city went about business as usual, but for Osvald and Partitio, this day was slated to be one of the best of their lives.

“Pops...Will ya quit yer blubberin’? We haven’t even started yet.”

Rolling his eyes, Partitio let out a sigh as Papp continued to cry. Roque chuckled as he took over adjusting Partitio’s tie and helping him into his suit jacket.

Papp sniffed loudly and rubbed the handkerchief that Roque handed him over his face. “S-Sorry, chickadee, I’m just...so happy that my boy’s getting married to the love of his life!”

Partitio smiled - this one bright enough to blind anyone who looked straight at him - as his mind wandered to Osvald, who was busy getting ready in a separate room of the chapel. His fiancé...who would be his husband by the end of the day. The overwhelming happiness that flooded through him made tears prick at the corners of his eyes, but he quickly blinked them away when Papp placed his hands on his shoulders.

“Partitio, I’m so proud of the man you’ve become,” Papp said, a smile crossing his tear-stained face, “And...I know your mom is damn proud of you too.”

The tears Partitio had been trying to hold back spilled down his face, and he pressed his face against Papp’s shoulder when he was pulled into a hug. Partitio felt Roque’s hand start rubbing his back, and that only made him cry harder; he really had the best family in the world, and he was certain that his mom would be watching over him and Osvald as long as they lived.

“Thanks, Pops. And you too, Roque,” Partitio said when he pulled away and turned to his stepdad. Roque’s eyes went wide when Partitio hugged him, and he too shed some tears when Partitio hugged him. “Thanks for always bein’ here for Pops an’ me, for the good times and the bad.”

“Partitio...” Roque swallowed thickly as he fought back more tears, and he smiled as he returned the hug. “You truly have grown into a fine young man. I wish you all the happiness in the world with Osvald.”

“Aw, hun...”

As Roque lost the battle with himself and broke down crying, Papp wrapped his arms around both him and Partitio, pulling them into a tight embrace. Partitio counted himself damn lucky to have such an amazing pair of parents.

“Ah, am I interrupting?”

Partitio looked up to find Hikari - his best man - poking his head into the room, and he beamed and waved him in. “Naw, c’mon in Hikari!”

Hikari chuckled as he walked up to Partitio, holding up a small, ornate box. “I’ve got the rings all ready to go. Ah, and this!” He opened another box that contained a boutonniere, affixed with a bright yellow dahlia. Hikari had his already pinned to his jacket - that was probably Agnea’s handiwork - and Partitio stood as still as possible to allow Hikari to pin his in place.

“Thankee kindly!” Partitio said, and he pulled Hikari into a hug. “For that, and for standin’ next to me on the happiest day of my life.”

Hikari tightened his arms around Partitio and placed a hand on his shoulder when he pulled away. “Of course, Partitio. You’re my best friend, after all. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

“Alright fellas, it’s almost time!” Papp interrupted as Roque straightened his tie.

Partitio nodded eagerly as a giddy happiness swelled within his gut, and they all finished getting ready together.

♪I prayed for you

Before I called you mine♪

“Hold still, Osvald. I don’t want to accidentally stab you.”

“Sorry.”

Clarissa - Osvald’s best woman - chuckled and shook her head as she finally succeeded in pinning his yellow dahlia boutonniere in place. “You’re trembling. Nervous?”

“...Maybe.”

“Oh, Ossy dear, everything will be fine!” Diana said as she fussed with Osvald’s hair, brushing it smooth before tying it neatly back.

Harry put on his suit jacket and chuckled. “You’re not afraid of being left at the altar, are you?”

“Dad...” Osvald grumbled, pouting as his mom and Clarissa dissolved into giggles. “It’s not that, it’s just...” He paused to swallow past the lump that had formed in his throat, and he looked between the three with watery eyes.

“I just...never thought that I could ever feel this kind of happiness again, after Rita...”

“Oh honey...” Diana hugged him tightly, and Clarissa and his dad were quick to join in. “Rita was a wonderful wife to you, and mother to Elena. I just know that she’s so happy that you found love again.”

Osvald let a few tears fall down his face, but he managed to compose himself before getting too carried away; he didn’t want to walk down the aisle with red, puffy eyes.

“Thanks, mom.”

“Hey! You guys almost ready?”

Osvald looked up when Elena rushed into the room, bouncing on her toes excitedly. She bounded over to Osvald and hugged him tight, looking up at him with a beaming smile on her face.

“You look great, Papa! I’m so happy for you,” she said, sniffing as she brushed away a few tears. Osvald smiled and gently hugged her back, careful not to mess up her hair.

“Thank you, Elena - and all of you - for supporting me today.” Osvald’s gazed passed over the most treasured people in his life; he really could not have made it to this moment without their unwavering support during his darkest moments.

“We love you so much, Osvald,” Diana said, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze.

Harry smiled and placed his hand on Osvald’s shoulder. “Yes, and we’re so proud of you, son. Of the man and father that you’ve become.”

Osvald had to clench his jaw hard to keep himself from breaking down, but he was saved when Elena groaned and stuck out her tongue.

“Ugh, you guys are taking the sappiness to a whole new level,” she complained. “Can ya save some of it for the ceremony?”

Clarissa laughed and leaned over to adjust Elena’s askew hair clip. “Oh, you���ll be just as sappy when you find your special someone too.”

“Doubt it.”

Diana gasped after glancing down at her watch. “Oh dear, it’s almost time! Let’s hurry now!”

Osvald sighed and shook his head as he let his mom fuss over him again. He had a broad smile on his face, however, and he was really looking forward to finally being able to call Partitio his husband.

♪Oh, I can't believe it's true sometimes

Oh, I can't believe it's true♪

The quaint chapel was packed with Osvald and Partitio’s beloved friends and family, who were almost as excited as the happy couple was to celebrate their marriage, judging by the loud, eager chatting that filled the room.

That chatter quickly faded away once the music started, and everyone’s attention turned to the back, where Hikari and Clarissa were walking towards each other from opposite ends. When they met at the center aisle, Clarissa placed her hand in the crook of Hikari’s arm before continuing towards the altar.

Meanwhile, Partitio emerged from the right side of the back of the room, looking exasperated as Papp sobbed on one side of his, while Roque was practically shaking with the effort to hold himself together.

“C’mon Pops, yer embarrassin’ me...” Partitio mumbled, rolling his eyes when Papp just cried harder. As he tried in vain to get his parents to get it together, Osvald led his parents and Elena towards him from the opposite side.

Diana and Harry were much better at keeping their composure than Partitio’s parents, but Elena had started crying and couldn’t seem to stop.

“Elena, my dear, are you okay-”

“I’m f-fine, Papa. I just...got something in my eye!”

Osvald chuckled as Elena huffed and shook her head to compose herself, and when he approached the center aisle, he looked up, and the sight took his breath away.

Partitio accepted that Papp and Roque were lost causes, so he turned his focus back to his front, and when his eyes met Osvald’s, tears fell down his cheeks as the biggest smile that he’d ever worn crossed his face.

♪I get to love you

It's the best thing that I'll ever do

I get to love you

It's a promise I'm making to you♪

Osvald had always thought that Partitio was a handsome man, but today he looked like an ethereal being that had descended directly from the heavens. It was his turn to tear up, and he pretended to not notice the smug look that Elena was sending his way.

It was like everything else around Partitio had faded away, leaving him to gawk at how incredibly handsome his soon-to-be-husband looked at this moment. Swallowing thickly, he blinked away a few tears as he came to a stop in front of Osvald, eyes locking as their respective escorts made their way to their seats in the front row.

“D-Darlin’,” Partitio stammered as he reached out with a sweaty hand to take Osvald’s, ”you look…Hoo-eey...”

Osvald chuckled and gave his hand a squeeze, before lifting it to his face and placing a tender kiss to the back of it, which earned a few giggles and ‘aws’ from the crowd. “You look rather handsome as well, my dear.”

Partitio beamed as he looped his arm with Osvald’s and shot him a wink. “Well, I do hope that yer goin’ my way, hehe.”

Osvald chuckled, and the fond smile that crossed his face gave Partitio pause. “Always.”

Laughing, the two men walked down the aisle, basking in the amount of love and support that they were receiving from everyone in attendance, and they stopped in front of the altar. Temenos was waiting for them with a serene smile on his face; both Osvald and Partitio had been quite surprised to find out that the detective was ordained, but they were very happy that they could be married by one of their dear friends.

♪Whatever may come your heart I will choose

Forever I'm yours, forever I do

I get to love you

I get to love you♪

Osvald and Partitio turned to face each other as Temenos began the ceremony, but his words seemed far away and muffled, as the two men only had eyes for each other at this moment.

Osvald barely registered when Temenos turned to address him directly. “...Do you, Osvald, take Partitio to be your husband?”

“I do,” he luckily managed to say without missing a beat, a soft smile crossing his face as he gave Partitio’s hands a squeeze.

“And do you, Partitio,” Temenos continued as he turned towards him, “take Osvald to be your husband?”

“I sure do!” Partitio loudly blurted out, causing their friends and family to laugh. His face flushed with embarrassment as a sheepish smile crossed his face. His eyes met Osvald’s again, who was watching him with an amused glint in his eyes, and gods damn it Partitio was so fucking ecstatic to be marrying this man right now.

♪The way you love

It changes who I am

I am undone

I thank God once again♪

They exchanged rings and the rest of the ceremony continued without a hitch, until Temenos smiled brightly and said the words that Osvald and Partitio had been waiting for:

“...and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may now kiss the groom!”

Cheers rang out from their guests, and Partitio wasted no time in grabbing Osvald’s face and smashing their lips together for their very first kiss as a married couple. The cheers continued when Partitio pulled away, and he pressed his forehead against Osvald’s, given pause at just how much love and adoration he saw reflected in his husband’s pretty eyes.

“I love you, Osvald...my husband.” The word felt foreign on Partitio’s tongue, but it wouldn’t be that way for long, because he knew for a fact that he was going to overuse the hell out of it.

Osvald couldn’t hold back his tears anymore, and he pulled Partitio into a tight hug and cried softly against his shoulder. “I-I love you too, Partitio. I’m...overjoyed to call you my husband.”

“Daw, sweetheart...”

♪Oh, I can't believe it's true sometimes

Oh, I can't believe it's true♪

The mirth of their guests only grew louder when Temenos ended the ceremony with, “May I introduce, for the first time, Mister and Mister Osvald and Partitio Vanstein-Yellowil!”

Osvald shared a fond glance with Partitio - his husband - before taking his hand and lifting their arms into the air, coaxing another loud cheer out of their guests. Lacing their fingers together, Partitio beamed as they made their way out of the chapel, followed by their wedding party.

After taking a few pictures there, they all piled into the limousine and drove right to Partitio and Roque Coffee Company, where Partitio and Osvald took one of their favorite photos of the day, standing in the very place that they first met, sharing a tender kiss with the huge pride flag hanging above the door directly overhead.

♪I get to love you

It's the best thing that I'll ever do

I get to love you♪

When the happy couple were satisfied with the pictures that had been taken, the wedding party headed to the location of the reception, which was Solistia University’s largest banquet hall (which had been picked mostly due to Osvald’s very generous employee discount combined with Partitio’s alumni discount). After they had made their grand entrance, Osvald and Partitio went around to greet every single treasured friend and family member who had decided to celebrate their special day with them.

“Ahh! Congratulations y’all!” Agnea exclaimed after giving Partitio and Osvald both the biggest of hugs. “That was such a beautiful ceremony!” Throné nodded in agreement before turning to help her girlfriend Rai Mei untangle one of her earrings from her hair.

“Yeah, congrats!” Ochette chimed in as she walked up to them with two full plates of hors d'oeuvres. Osvald raised an eyebrow at her, while Partitio doubled over laughing.

“Shucks, Ochette, didya leave any for the rest of us?” he teased, and Ochette puffed out her swiftly-reddening cheeks.

“C’mon, Parti! Cheering so much at the ceremony really worked up my appetite.”

“Heh, I’m just teasin’ ya!”

Osvald laughed at their banter, and he and Partitio moved on to other guests. After that, the meal was served, during which Hikari and Clarissa both gave touching best man/woman speeches that left both grooms in tears.

♪It's a promise I'm making to you

Whatever may come your heart I will choose

Forever I'm yours, forever I do♪

After cutting the cake (which turned into a bit of an amusing ordeal when Osvald’s piece that he ate for the picture had somehow gotten all over his beard), it was time for their first dance as a married couple. Osvald took Partitio’s hand and they took to the dance floor alone, and when Gil’s band started playing their song, it felt as if they were the only two people in the room.

“Shucks, Osvald, today’s really gone off without a hitch,” Partitio said with a smile, “I’m surprised that most of the folks we invited managed to show up!”

Osvald nodded. “Yes, we drew quite the crowd. It’s a shame that Castti couldn’t make it though.”

“Well, yeah, but she’s probably havin’ her first baby right about now!” Partitio gushed, pausing to duck under Osvald’s arm when he twirled him around. “I betcha Edmund’s a godsdamn mess too.”

“I’m sure they’ll both be fine. She’s a doctor, after all.”

“Heh, yeah, you’re probably right ‘bout that.”

When the song ended, Osvald’s next dancer partner was Papp, while Partitio was paired with Diana, and Roque and Harry got a turn after that. When it was time for everyone to take the dance floor, Osvald and Partitio greatly enjoyed letting loose and having a great time with their guests.

♪I get to love you

I get to love you♪

As the night went on, guests started to slowly trickle out, until only a handful of people remained. Most of them were sporting at least a happy buzz, and that included the newlyweds, who were currently occupying the mostly-empty dance floor.

Partitio lifted his head from Osvald’s chest and smiled, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. “This really has been the best day of my life, Osvald, and I can’t wait to share the rest of it with you.”

Osvald chuckled and gave Partitio’s hand a squeeze as they swayed gently to the music. “I can. I don’t want it to go by too quickly. I want to cherish every single moment with you, my love.”

“Osvald...” The tears that Partitio had been holding back fell down his face, and Osvald wiped them away with a feather-light touch. “Shucks...I love you so damn much.”

♪And they say love is a journey

I promise that I'll never leave

When it's too heavy to carry

Remember this moment with me♪

There was a commotion across the dance floor, and they looked to see Papp lifting Roque into the air, only to drop him moments later. Partitio burst out laughing and buried his face into Osvald’s chest, and Osvald let out a rumbling chuckle himself.

“That’ll be us someday, you know,” Partitio said as he shot Osvald a wink.

“...Please don’t drop me.”

“Never, darlin’!” A tender smile crossed Partitio’s face as he lifted Osvald’s hand to his lips and placed a kiss onto his wedding ring, his voice dropping to a whisper: “I’ll never let you fall, never again. I promise you that.”

“Partitio...”

♪I get to love you♪

♪I get to love you♪

Osvald cupped Partitio’s cheek, staring deep into his husband’s eyes before kissing him, soft and tender, earning a couple wolf-whistles from the few remaining guests. Eventually, the night had to end, and after helping the wedding party clean up, Osvald, Partitio, and Elena made their way home.

“Ah, this feels nice!” Partitio said, after he had flopped onto the bed and settled in under the covers. Osvald was quick to join him, and he chuckled when Partitio immediately latched onto his side and snuggled as close as he could to him.

“I agree.” Osvald wrapped his arms around Partitio, who rest his head on his chest as Osvald placed a tender kiss on his forehead. “I...feel like I could pass out at any given moment.” Partitio raised an eyebrow when Osvald frowned and averted his gaze, and he hummed when a realization hit him.

“Heh, yeah, me too darlin’.” Partitio kissed Osvald before nuzzling their noses together. “As much as I’d love to jump my new husband’s bones...I’m so tired...” He snickered when Osvald let out a relieved sigh; Partitio had guessed right as to what he had been worried about.

“As sad as I am to miss out on that,” Osvald started as he lifted Partitio’s left hand to his face and placed a tender kiss upon his wedding ring, “we have the rest of our lives ahead of us, and I plan to use much of that time for - ahem - ‘bone jumping.’”

Partitio felt his cheeks heat up, and he barked out a laugh as he entwined their fingers together. “Yer a hoot, darlin’! Hehe, maybe we can get a head start on that bright and early tomorrow. Might need a good shower and a lower body massage, if ya catch my drift.”

“...You’re a degenerate.”

“And yer stuck with me for life, ha!”

Osvald burst out laughing and smacked Partitio with his pillow, starting a pillow fight for the ages. After being narrowly defeated, Osvald accepted his punishment of being the big spoon and wrapped his arms around Partitio after he had settled in front of him.

“Love ya Osvald, my darlin’ husband...” Partitio mumbled, letting out a long yawn and letting his eyes slip shut.

“I love you too, Partitio, my heart.” After placing a kiss against Partitio’s shoulder, Osvald covered his hands with his as he fell asleep; Osvald couldn’t help but wonder what he had done to deserve such an incredible husband. As he started to drift off as well, Osvald still found it hard to imagine that he could have ever gotten to this level of pure bliss again after everything he had been through.

However, it seemed that all he had needed was someone to listen and dilute the bitterness that had settled within his broken heart. After all, in the wise words of a former greenhouse coffee shop owner (even though Osvald still didn’t agree with the coffee part):

“A bit o’ sweetness helps everything along. As in coffee, as in life.”

♪ I get to love you♡♪

[mammonprotectionsquad]

hjasjhasj I can't believe I actually finished a fic again xD I'll just see this as an early birthday present to myself, even if it's by a week lmao But yeah, here's the next part for the rivaling agencies AU :D Still not quite sure how to feel about it but at this point it just is what it is. So imma just yeet it onto the dashboard and disappear for a while again probably xD

Misunderstandings

Vanderwood x OC Talia

Another year, another birthday spent all alone. Usually Talia tried to snatch whatever mision she could get her hands on to keep her mind occupied, distracted from that day. But for whatever reason life really had it out for her and somehow there was nothing to do. So she found herself in a corner of a bar. Back to a wall where she was able to keep an eye on everything. Just because she had a day off it didn't mean she'd let her guard down. At least not completely. Besides, old habits died hard. "Can't believe I'm still alive with all my limbs attached", she muttered into her glass before taking a sip of the cocktail in it. Usually she went for straight stuff but that night she felt like trying something different. And the mixture of fruity and sweet was not all too bad. For a while she was able to just sit back, people watch a little and occasionally be torn between being happy for the people around her having fun with their friends and/or partners and a stinging feeling of jealousy. Which was about to get so much worse...

As the agent let her gaze wander, she spotted an all too familiar brunette over at the counter. The fact that he was wearing a leaopard print button up making her smile involuntarily. Typical... Though her expression fell as soon as a woman with long, red hair approached him. Getting all up in his personal space but even though she couldn't see Vanderwood's expression, it had to mean a lot when he let it happen. Meaning they were probably very close. Talia could feel her heart squeeze painfully, a sensation she hadn't had to deal with in so long that it was nearly overwhelming in that moment. Not to mention that the woman was gorgeous. Bright golden eyes that seemed to gleam in the dim light, shiny hair cascading down her back...

After quickly downing the rest of her drink, she slammed probably way more money than her drinks had cost on the table. She needed to get out, get away before he could spot her and how miserable she probably looked. Just disappear into the shadows. She'd done it a million times before, she was good at disappearing. Only that karma, or whoever else apparently wanted to play a sick joke on her, had a different plan. Because as she glanced back despite her better judgment, Vanderwood met her gaze, expression going from surprised to confused. The woman next to him seemed to notice that he was momentarily distracted and followed his line of sight, her head tilted to the side as she spotted Talia.

Fuck, was all she could think of as she finally, hastily left the bar, feet carrying her back home on autopilot as her brain went completely blank. Only when the door of her apartment closed behind her did she let out a shaky breath. Eyes burning from the tears she was trying her hardest to hold back. "For fucks sake you killed and survived getting killed for years! You're not gonna start crying over some guy you shouldn't have gotten close to in the first place! You're not that weak and pathetic!" Maybe reverting to anger would help. Getting angry at herself, angry at her stupidity for indulging in something she damn well knew would end up hurting her in the end, one way or another. Yet here she was. On her stupid birthday, sinking to the ground as she cried over some stupid man from another stupid agency. What did she think would happen? There wasn't even any guarantee that their friendship had been real. Maybe it was just all to get information from her. So why did the thought of him being with someone else still hurt so much? Oh, right. Because she was an idiot who let herself catch feelings for someone who was technically an enemy.

She was so lost in her thoughts that the ringing of her phone actually startled her and when she saw the name on the screen another wave of tears rolled down her cheeks. One missed called followed another. Only for Vanderwood to then send her a couple messages. Asking why she didn't pick up, if something happened to her, if she got injured... It was tempting to throw her phone full force against the next wall in hopes of smashing it into little pieces. Thankfully there was still a tiny part in her left that was able to think somewhat rationally, so instead she turned it off. At the same time shuffling over to her bedroom, falling face first on the mattress. She didn't even bother to get changed, only kicking her shoes off. It was like all the energy in her body had suddenly been drained and all she could do was bury her face in the pillow, crying herself to sleep as her heart continued to break further and futher until she eventually passed out from exhaustion.

A couple days had went by ever since that night. And all those days Talia was basically drowning herself in work. Taking on everything she could, no matter what kind of mission it was. Anything was better than being left alone and the heartbreak she still tried her hardest to forget about. Why did he still had to act like he cared? Why make it even harder on her by pretending to be worried about her and her well-being? Why couldn't he just act like the enemy he actually was "Maybe I should've listened to grandma. Men are nothing but trouble", the brunette huffed under her breath, all while tightening the grip of her thighs around a guy's throat until he passed out and went limp.

"There are certainly worse ways to go." Why? Why and how was it possible that she always bumped into Vanderwood on missions? It couldn't have been a coincidence anymore at that rate. At least the past days gave her some time to work on her pokerface, which she immediately put on as she got up, barely looking at him before she already turned her back on him. If she didn't look at him, she couldn't falter... right? "Can we talk? Please?" "I'm kind of busy right now, if you couldn't tell", she huffed.

Just as she was about to leave, because getting away as quickly as possible was much preferred, a hand wrapped around her wrist. Not tightly but it was enough to make her stop dead in her tracks. She hated how familiar the leather of his glove felt on her skin. How her heart involuntarily skipped a beat from the close proximity. "Talia-" "Don't. I have a job to do and I assume so do you. Besides, we shouldn't be like this anyway. Not only because we are working for different agencies but... God, I can't believe I let you play me for so long. A humorless laugh escaped her as she pulled her hand away, at the same time taking a couple steps back. Maybe she could trick her mind into distancing itself when she did so physically as well. And Vanderwood? He looked even more confused than he had that night at the bar. It nearly made her feel bad. Only nearly though.

"Playing you? What are you talking about?" "Don't pretend like I'm fucking stupid, Vanderwood. I saw how close you were with that woman. So why spend so much time with me when you obviously have someone in your life already, hm? Was it just to get information out of me? To make me feel safe enough to spill some secrets? Like the other night when I told you that-" "Kali." Even if he only said her name, her real name, it was enough to shut her up and all she could do was look at him with glassy, blue eyes. Though the last thing she expected was for him to pull her into a hug. Arms wrapped around her so tightly, it nearly felt like he was afraid of her falling apart if he let go. And maybe that would've actually been the case. Sadly it also made her walls crumble down way to easily, a quiet sob escaping her throat when she buried her face on his chest. Fingers digging into the back of his coat.

"Shh, shh. It's okay... Is that why you kept ignoring me?" The only thing she could do was nod. And Talia half expected him to make fun of her. Hell, she couldn't even have blamed him. Instead one of his hands moved up to cup the nape of her neck, pulling her even closer to himself. "Do you remember the hacker brat I told you about?", she nodded again, which was enough to make him continue, "The woman you saw was him. That idiot always takes it too far when he gets sent on undercover missions with me." She could pretty much hear in his voice that he rolled his eyes, although once her brain caught up to what she had just been told, she pulled back in order to look up at him. Face in a frown. "Wait... So that means-" "It means you worried about nothing and things could've been resolved much sooner if you'd have just picked up one of my calls."

Even now he didn't sound upset or condescending in any way. If anything, he looked so understanding which only confused her more. "I'd rather chew off my own arm than ever let you think I'm dating another woman. Especially when that woman in question is actually the hacker brat", he muttered, even shuddering. It was enough to draw a quiet chuckle out of her and she got on tiptoes, arms now snaking around his neck. "Soooo does it mean that if I was thinking about-" "Less talking..."

With that Vanderwood already crossed the small distance between them, lips pressed to hers in a nearly desperate kiss. All those emotions both had been trying to supress for way too long spilling into the open. Making it near impossible for her not to smile into the kiss. Her heart feeling much lighter than it had since her birthday. "You okay now?", Vanderwood's voice was barely above a whisper, the loving glint in his eyes robbing her of all coherent thoughts. Thumbs tenderly brushing some remaining tears from her cheeks. "Mhm~" "Want me to help with your mission?" "Nah, I'm good. But! You can meet me here again in... let's say 10 minutes. Then take me to your place and we could cook together", Talia suggested in-between little pecks. It was just too tempting to do now that she was officially allowed to kiss him. "Why my place?" "Because I know for a fact that your kitchen is way better stocked than mine is." "... Fair enough."

It was obvious that neither of them wanted to part, especially not now. But work still had to get done. No matter how badly she wanted to just stay in his arms. Though the sooner she'd get the mission done, the sooner they could leave. Vanderwood was the one who pulled her in for another proper kiss. And oh was it tempting to prolong it... If she was completely honest, Talia had absolutely no idea how she did it, but she managed to eventually take a step back, cheeks ever so slightly flushed. "See you in a bit, handsome", she hummed, fingertips touching her lips as soon as she had her back turned on him and a big smile refused to leave her face. There were no words to describe how glad she was about everything getting resolved and that things were nothing but a stupid misunderstanding. Sure, there were many more challenges for them still, but for now she'd allow herself to enjoy her night with the man who was supposed to be an enemy but turned out to become her lover in the end. Funny how life can go, sometimes...

Vanderwood x Talia Masterlist

Taglist: @just-a-key @amborii @cass-who @otomaticallyobsessedessed @mixed-bag-of-tricks @brighteststar707 @currentlyprocrastinating @violetrei @kumaronoa

[elysiadjarin]

Day 3: Dacryphilia

Jesse Cromeans may be a ruthless killer, but at home with you? You’re the one in charge. And especially those days when you’re annoyed at how long he’s been gone and he comes back so desperate for your attention… well. You did so like to see him cry.

Day 3 of Kinktober has arrived! I actually think I discovered some things about myself writing this one, so y’all enjoy. 😂 Find my Kinktober Masterlist here.

Warnings: Minors DNI, this is 18+ content only. This one is a slasher x reader fic, so please beware of mentions of murder and assault as part of the territory, though nothing is explicitly mentioned. PinV unprotected sex, dacryphilia, desperation, cumplay.

Tags: Jesse Cromeans (Chromeskull) x reader, slasher x reader, yandere!reader, soft femdom, sub/dom themes

Paint Splatters over Canvas

It was rather funny, really.

You scrolled through your phone, ignoring the giant man standing in the doorway of the room staring at you. Jesse had always made a point of never touching you without your permission. A way for him to separate the meaningless victims of his murderous hobby with you, his wife, his everything. And while of course your relationship stayed perfectly strong, you well aware of his hobby and he well aware of your own tendencies… it did sometimes backfire on him in the best worst ways.

Like now. When you were annoyed with him because he’d been gone an entire day later than he’d promised, extra dark web cash be damned. A promise was a promise, and it wasn’t as though he’d needed the money. He did have a perfectly legal and highly successful business, after all. So shouldn’t you have come first?

You liked revenge cold, playing the long game; something you had in common with Jesse. And today, you certainly had plans put in place for said revenge. Which, for the time being, meant ignoring Jesse. You had plenty to occupy you, from communications for the business to just working on your own projects. Still, you’d made sure to be just nonchalant enough to let him know that it was all so… deliberate.

Jesse shuffled in the doorway, clearly wanting your attention but knowing better than to think any sort of demanding would get him anywhere. He’d learned the hard way that at home, his power over subordinates decidedly did not apply to you. When you didn’t give him any response, he hovered for a moment, clearly trying to decide on what to do next.

You knew how he would get after a mission. Needy. Wanting. Starved for attention and affection from you. Pent up for days, probably thinking about you every spare moment between takes.

With a hum, you typed out a message on your phone before standing and heading for the doorway. You briefly looked up to see him as you brushed past in the doorway. “Oh, hi, Jesse,” you said, giving him a brief, distracted smile. “I’m off to get ready for a meeting with a client.” You headed for the bedroom, already thinking about your next steps.

You could hear him following behind you, could almost feel the mounting despair as he started to realized what was happening. Why you had used his name instead of the usual love, darling. His shoulders hunched, and you could see his face twist as he clearly tried to think of what to do. He already knew that you’d have your revenge however you wanted: apologies would be expected but certainly wouldn’t get him any closer to mercy.

Walking into the bedroom, you headed straight for the bathroom to start preparing. Jesse still trailed along behind you like a forlorn, helpless puppy, and you swore you could almost hear him let out a small whine. Pausing for a moment in front of your vanity, you dialed your friend’s number and set it to speaker, putting it down on the countertop and sitting in front of the mirror.

You tied your hair up and reached for your cosmetics, beginning the process as the phone dialed. Your friend picked up quickly, already in on your plan thanks to your texting. She always approved of your payback plans.

Bestie! I thought you said you had to prepare for the meeting? I mean, yknow, not that I don’t like hearing from you. She cheerfully teased over the phone.

You smiled. “Well yeah, I just sat down to do my makeup. But I mean, we did say we were going to talk about the party for little Jacen this weekend, and what better time than now? You can help me pick out an outfit once I’m done,” you cajoled, noticing how Jesse sat on the edge of the jacuzzi bathtub, unabashedly staring at you. He always had loved watching you get ready for an event. Not that you minded.

Fair enough. Your best friend admitted readily. But seriously, you didn’t have to go all out for Jacen like this. She half scolded. It’s so much!

You laughed lightly, the creamy foundation smoothing across your skin. “Oh c’mon, he’s my adorable little nephew in all but name. He deserves to get spoiled by his doting Aunt, let me have my fun,” you wheedled, knowing she would cave.

She sighed over the receiver. I swear, girl, you could convince anyone into anything.

“Or maybe I’m just your weakness, Miss Mara,” you teased back. The soft brush in your fingers blended the contour onto your face, and you smiled as you glanced at the phone. “But anyway, did you manage to figure out what he might want for a birthday present? Or are we going with my original idea to let him loose in a mall?”

Oh, no, you are so not buying him everything he points at. I’d never get him to not be a spoiled brat if I let you.Mara snorted. I’ll text you what I figured out, he seems to be pretty fixated on it right now.

“Ugh, fineeee,” you sighed, rolling your eyes. “But I’m going to at least get him that adorable motorized scooter I showed you before. He’s going to look so cute riding around in it.”

Fair enough I suppose. Better than the mall idea— wait, did you just get me to agree to something extravagant by threatening something so ridiculous—

“Anyway,” you interrupted blithely, “did you send out invitations to everyone?”

Yep, and I got back all the RSVPs. Speaking of which, I thought you said that you were meeting with the CEO of some business tonight? What’s that all about? I know you, you normally don’t like dealing with people.

You sighed. “Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag a little.” You pouted, reaching for the eyeshadow and liner. “Jesse was supposed to be back yesterday, but since he wasn’t I had to reschedule, and I promised to personally meet with the CEO in order to smooth over ruffled feathers. But besides that… I wanted to be there personally to see my best friend and her husband’s house finally paid off for their fifth anniversary.”

A pause. Then a screech that made you grin. You’re not serious! Babes, no, wait—

“No use protesting!” You said cheerfully, waving your brush. “It’s already been practically settled. Besides, you both need to start saving up for Jacen’s college funds. We did have the agreement that I’d open the doors to whatever college he wanted instead of just paying for it,” you reminded.

Ugh, I don’t know if I want to smack you or hug you, you sly little— Mara groaned. Wait till I tell Damien, he won’t know what hit him. She laughed. Thank you. You know how much it means to us. I won’t scold.

“Good.” You nodded. “And you know I’ll take care of you.”

She sighed. Never doubted it. So, how’s the process?

You hummed, pursing your lips as you finished the eyeshadow and grabbed the mascara. “About to do mascara, then all I have left is the lipstick. But shouldn’t I wait till we pick a dress before I actually pick a color?”

Probably. What’s the mood? You going for boss ass bitch, sultry Queen, or mysterious vampire lady? Amusement laced Mara’s voice.

“You’re not even in my house and yet you walked in and called me out to my face,” you said dryly, earning laughter. Jesse, you saw in the mirror, tilted his head with a small smile playing over his lips. He’d quietly observed the whole processes, eyes fixed on your face.

Only cause I love you. So, show me the closet, girl! Oh, show me your makeup first tho so we got reference.

You picked up the phone as you finished, turning on the camera so she could see your makeup sans the lipstick. She whistled, eyebrows wriggling teasingly as she grinned.

Oh, so mysterious vampire queen it is. She smirked. Closet. Though I do have the feeling that we’re going to be choosing a gorgeous red lipstick.

“Yes ma’am,” you answered, standing and heading for your closet. You heard Jesse stand and follow behind you, and stifled a smile. Flipping the camera, you started to flip through the racks of dresses. “Does that mean we’re leaning towards a black dress?”

Hmm, probably. Actually, how about one of your sleek black ones? The one with like, barely any frills and only a tiny bit of lace at the top. Off the shoulder. If you’re gonna try to assert dominance, probably drawing attention to your mouth and hands is the best way to go.

You tilted your head at the hangers, then nodded. “You’re right. Especially if I go for the red lipstick. I could also honestly use a glass of wine during that meeting,” you sighed.

Mara snickered. Blood in a wine glass? How stereotypical of you, madame.

“You hush, drama queen,” you said dryly, finding the dress she’d described and pulling it out.

Ooh, that’s the one! And I know you have that one crimson shade of lipstick that I always say looks vampiric.

You went back to the vanity and set the phone down, pretending to not notice that it showed Jesse standing in the doorway, clearly staring at you. You slid your shirt off, careful not to smudge any makeup, then slipped out of your pants and reached for the dress. Smoothing it over your front to get rid of any wrinkles, you sat back down and tilted the camera back to yourself, reaching for the lipstick.

“This one, right?” You waved it in front of your face.

Yep! That dress is stunning, by the way. Oh, and what are you doing with your hair?

“Ugh, I don’t really wanna bother too much with it, so I figured I’d go with the… messy, loose waves.” You shrugged, applying the lipstick.

Mara snorted. I think you mean, ‘sorry I’m late I was doing things’ while ignoring Jesse staggering behind you clearly radiating ‘I’m things’ energy.

You half-choked, laughing despite yourself. “Mara-! Seriously!”

She rolled her eyes at you. I’m just saying it like it is. But you go girlie, you look bomb. She laughed. Blow them all away. Be the boss bitch you are. A noise in the background interrupted her. Oop, that’s my cue. I gotta go, text me though okay?

“Will do, tell Damien and Jacen hi for me.” You smiled and hung up, finishing fluffing your hair. Standing, you grabbed the phone and headed for the door. “The meeting is in five minutes,” you remarked to Jesse as you passed him in the doorway. “If you want to join.”

You saw him type on his phone, the text to speech translator sounding a moment later. May I be there with you?

You flashed him a warm smile, as though you weren’t at all deliberately enacting revenge. “Of course! I’d love to have you there. Let’s go.” With a little hum, you headed towards the stairs.

Your phone pinged with a message. Girl, I swear he was drooling. You’re so mean sometimes. Not that he didn’t deserve it.

You suppressed a laugh, replying with one hand as your other slid down the bannister to guide you down the staircase. You know it. Mission so far successful. Wish me luck, I’m about to go into this meeting.

You looked up as you got to the bottom of the stairs, seeing an assistant waiting with the guest. The assistant bowed politely. “May I introduce Mr. Trace, CEO of Finley Bank.”

Giving the assistant a nod, you turned to Mr. Trace. “Greetings, Mr. Trace. Welcome! Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I do apologize for the delay,” you said, taking charge and sweeping towards the parlor.

He followed after automatically. “Of course, Mrs. Cromeans,” he answered, quickly recovering from his moment of bewilderment.

You motioned to a chair, sitting on the velvet couch across the coffee table. “Please, please, have a seat,” you said, keeping the easy smile on your face. “Can I get you a drink? Anything at all?”

He blinked, sitting down and setting his briefcase next to him. “Ah— thank you. I’d appreciate a scotch on the rocks if it’s available.”

“Of course,” you said easily, nodding to the maid standing nearby. “A red wine for me, please.” You smiled at Jesse as he sat next to you. “Your regular?” you asked sweetly. At his nod, you turned back to the maid. “And a glass of dry white.”

She bowed and went to go fetch the drinks.

“I’m sure you have plenty of other things to do, Mr. Trace,” you said smoothly, “so I’ll not take any more of your time than necessary. Of course, as I said, I’d like to discuss several things with you…”

Twenty minutes later found you leaning against the arm of the couch, feet propped up beside you as you swirled the last dregs of the red wine, tapping the glass with your fingernails. The CEO had long since emptied his scotch, and Jesse was on his second glass. His fingers kept clenching around the flute of his glass every time your feet brushed against his thigh.

“Of course,” Trace said with a nod, jotting down the final notes on the paperwork. “Easily managed. Are there any other details you would like to add or anything else to discuss?” He looked up at you.

Your tactics of firm politeness and the scotch seemed to have worked their charm, and you’d been able to rather easily dominate the flow of the interaction. Not to mention, Mara had been right about appearances clearly setting a tone. Trace seemed to be studiously avoiding eye contact with either you or Jesse.

“Not at all, Mr. Trace,” you said, a pleased note in your voice. “I’m rather pleased at how everything has turned out. We do so value your business, you know.” You tilted the glass in your fingers. “Shall I sign the papers?”

“At your leisure.” He slid them across the table toward you.

You slowly uncurled yourself like a lazy feline, straightening yourself and leaning over to set the glass down on the table. Grasping the pen, you slowly signed your name on the papers, eyes glancing over the print to ascertain that everything was in order. Shuffling through the papers, you finally set the pen down.

Trace took them back, glancing through them before nodding. “Everything seems to be in order.” He slid them back into his briefcase. “Thank you as always for your business, Mrs. Cromeans, Mr. Cromeans.”

You nodded, and Jesse stood, setting his glass down. You rose as well, sliding your arm into the crook of his elbow as he automatically adjusted for you. “And thank you for your help, Mr. Trace,” you answered easily. “I do hope you have a productive rest of the day. Do be safe out there.”

He nodded as the assistant returned to escort him out. “Same to you.”

With a hum, you absently patted Jesse’s arm and let yours slide out of his grasp, drifting towards the stairs again. “Oh, I need to go tell Mara it’s all confirmed. Besides, this dress is only comfortable for so long,” you remarked, pulling out your phone again.

Guess who completely owns their house now? You texted Mara, smiling. And your tactics worked, I think dominance was asserted.

You waltzed into the bedroom, headed straight for the closet. “Jesse, are you hungry? I think the food I ordered should have arrived by now, it should be in front of the TV. Maybe pick a movie? I still have a few messages to send.”

You changed into a comfortable black babydoll nightdress, sighing in relief as the silk slid over your skin. It was far more comfortable, and you could feel yourself finally starting to relax after the pent-up tension of the meeting. You really did hate dealing with people, especially ones like the CEO.

Your phone buzzed as you went to go pick it back up. You are literally the best. Now go finish seducing Jesse while I go figure out how to make this news sexy.

Stifling a snort, you went to go wipe your makeup off and wash your face. You could hear the sounds of the TV starting in the bedroom, so you took one more glance in the mirror before heading out into the room, still tapping at your phone. You still had to finish some arrangements for Jacen’s birthday, after all, and your revenge was still percolating.

Jesse’s head turned as soon as you approached the couch in front of the TV. You ignored the way he froze, sliding onto the couch and tucking your feet under a soft blanket. Sending off another message, you set it beside you and reached forward to grab a tray, pulling it into your lap.

“I figured you might not want anything too heavy since you just got back, so I kinda just made a guess and ended up ordering too much…” You frowned at the myriad of food laid out over the table. “Sorry, Jesse… I don’t even know if this is what you want—“

The text to speech cut you off. The food is fine, thank you. I’m sorry for being late. I know I can only make excuses, but I am sorry. Can I make it up to you?

A frown touched your lips as you picked up your spoon, still not looking at him. Your fingernails tapped against the screen of your phone. “Jacen asked the other day if Uncle Jesse would be at his party. I told him I didn’t know, but I’d ask.”

He quickly typed. Of course, if he asked for me, I’ll be sure to be there. His fingers paused, then he slowly typed again, as though hesitating. I got you a present while I was gone.

You hummed, swallowing your food and picking your phone back up. “He’ll be happy to hear it. And thank you for the present.” You sent a message to tell Mara that Jacen’s wish had been granted.

Jesse practically fidgeted as he ate, the movie playing in the background. You could feel his eyes slide from the screen to you, could almost hear the wheels in his head frantically turning. The tension in every line of his body was obvious, his movements stilted and jerky. He practically twitched every time you so much as moved.

Finally, you set down the tray, grabbing a mint to refresh your mouth. Shifting to get more comfortable, you angled yourself towards him a little more. You snitched a piece of food from his plate, letting out a hum as you smiled down at Mara’s message. If possible, Jesse stiffened even more, his fingers clenching so hard around his spoon that it even bent a little in his grasp.

A crumb fell from your fingers onto the lace edge of your nightgown, and you let out a quiet noise of protest as you looked down. Your fingers brushed against the top of your breast, brushing off the crumb. Sticking your finger in your mouth, you typed out a message in response to another conversation. With a sigh, you looked up and glanced over Jesse’s shoulder to see the lamp on the table next to him. Night had fallen, and shadows fell over the room.

Stirring yourself, you sat up, setting your phone down for a moment. “Can I turn on the lamp? I don’t wanna get up for the lights,” you said, starting to lean across him. Almost thoughtlessly, you placed your hand on his thigh and put your weight on it, reaching over his body on your hands and knees to pull at the cord on the lamp. The light clicked on, just as a low keening sound came from Jesse.

Your head tilted at the sound, and you turned to look up at his face. It was your turn to freeze.

Jesse’s face had crumpled, his soft green eyes literally awash with tears. His hands were clenched at his sides, his chest heaving with hitching breaths as he struggled to control his expression. The tears welled in his eyes, and faint color had splashed across his cheeks and the tips of his ears.

Slowly, a smile crossed your lips as you stared up at his face. Leaning back, you tilted your head, licking your lips. “Oh, look at you,” you breathed. “You made all the little piggies cry, Jesse. But maybe it’s your turn, hmm?” Your eyes flickered down to the way his entire body trembled, every muscle taut and strained.

You moved, sliding your entire body into his lap to straddle his waist and face him. Crossing your arms under your chest, you stared into his face. “I don’t know… you broke your promise, though.” Your eyebrow raised at him, and he let out another hoarse whimper. Tears slid down his cheeks, his mouth opening for shuddering breaths.

He shook his head, lips trembling as he lifted one hand and signed. Sorry. Please. Sorry. His fingers spelled out your name.

Reaching up, you cupped his face in your hands. You leaned up, face drawing closer to his. “But I already accepted your apology, love,” you cooed, smiling. “You know what I think?” You slowly dragged your tongue across his tear tracks, your body flushing with heat at the taste of the bitter salt. “I think,” you murmured against his jaw, “that I like seeing you cry.”

Jesse’s breath hitched on a sob, more tears spilling down his cheeks. It was fairly intoxicating, seeing the giant man completely fall apart under you, trapped between his desperation and his personal standards. When you slid forward, your body pressing flush against him, another sob wrenched from his gritted teeth.

You decided for the moment to have a bit of mercy. Reaching down, you grasped his wrists and lifted his hands to your waist. His fingers instantly clenched in the silk babydoll dress, shaking as he grabbed at your waist. His entire body lurched forwards towards you, eyes fixed on your face.

You hummed softly, brushing a kiss to his jaw. “Your eyes are so pretty when they’re filled with tears, Jesse,” you purred, drawing his face closer to you. Still, you refused to kiss him, instead trailing your lips down his jaw, down to his throat. You opened your mouth against his neck, savoring the taste of his skin and the soft scent of his cologne.

Jesse’s trembling fingers jerked against your waist, and he slumped into you. His hands slid over your waist to your lower back, his touch practically reverent as he squeezed. His breaths came quick and fast, breaking occasionally on a sob. Every time you suckled or moved your lips, every time your hands slid down his shoulders, he gasped and shuddered, more tears dripping down his cheeks.

You slid your hands down, starting to unbutton his shirt. Your tongue dragged across his neck, and you felt the bulge in his pants throb against your thigh. “Isn’t this punishment fair, darling?” you cooed. “I only ask for a few tears, hmm? A front row seat to your pretty eyes?”

His head jerked, even though it wrenched another tortured sob from him. Despite the contact, you could feel his frustration mounting.

You pulled back, looking up at him as you finished unbuttoning his shirt. “Oh, you don’t think so?” Your fingers slid across his bared chest, feeling the heat radiating from his skin. “But isn’t this what you wanted? Me, paying attention to you?”

His gasps had turned ragged. His hips jerked, rutting up against your thigh. A strangled noise left his throat, his eyes squeezing shut. His grip on your waist threatened to leave fingerprints against your skin.

“No?” You bit your lip, raking your nails lightly against his chest. “Then what is it you want, hmm?”

His eyes flickered down to your lips, unconsciously licking his own. His fingers clenching, he pulled you down to grind against his cock, straining in his trousers. Pants fell from his mouth, and he kept glancing from your eyes to your lips.

You reached down, teasingly trailing your fingers down his chest and stomach. Unzipping his trousers, you looked up at his face and smiled as you traced one fingertip down the bulge in his underwear. His eyes fairly rolled back in his head, more tears streaming down his face afresh.

“Look at you, already such a mess,” you murmured, sliding your fingers into his underwear. The moment you wrapped a hand around his cock and slid up, you were rewarded with a guttural groan. He gritted his teeth, clearly struggling to stay still. With a soft laugh, you leaned up and brushed a kiss to his ear.

You tugged at his collar. “Why don’t you lie down for me?” you murmured.

He immediately complied, his hands still clamped around your waist as he turned and shifted up, lying down on the couch. He stared up at you, face still twisted in agony and desperation.

Lifting yourself a little, you tilted your head at him. “Take your pants off for me?”

He practically kicked his pants and underwear off in his haste. You guided one of his hands to the latch on the side of your own panties, giving him an amused smile and nod. His trembling fingers unlatched them, his chest heaving as he watched the black silk slide away from your skin. The moment you lowered back down onto him, his cock throbbed against you and his back arched.

Leaning forward, you hummed a pressed a kiss to his jaw. “Jesse, love,” you murmured. “Cry for me a little more?” You cupped his face in your hands, feeling your wetness coat his own length as you ground against his tip. But you deliberately kept shifting, not giving him any steady pressure.

Another broken whine came from him, and a few more tears slipped down his cheeks. Frustration scrunched his face, his neck mottled with red and flushing down to his shoulders and chest, making your white nail marks stand out. His hips jerked, his eyes squeezing shut for a moment.

“Is this what you want?” You pressed down against him again, feeling his cock slip against your wet folds teasingly.

His head jerked in a nod, almost violently. Tremors kept running through his arms, his body occasionally shuddering under you.

You leaned down and sucked his lower lip between yours. Your teeth nipped at his lip, and you finally slanted your mouth over his. Tears poured afresh down his cheeks as he desperately pulled at you, trying to get closer, kiss you more. You relented and let him, thumbs brushing against his jaw as you hummed softly into his frantic, pleading kisses. Without warning, you slipped your tongue between his lips, feeling his mouth part with alacrity. When you finally parted, his green eyes were glazed over with tears, hazily staring at you.

Then you smiled at him slyly. “I think you’ve deserved a little bit more,” you decided.

The moment you slid his tip into you, he choked. Saliva dribbled from the corners of his mouth as he squeezed his eyes shut, struggling for breath. His entire body froze, humming taut under you and his eyes sightlessly staring up at the ceiling.

You observed his wrecked expression, licking your lips with satisfaction. Rarely did Jesse ever fully submit to you like this, usually a brat. But tonight, you had absolute and utter control, and you intended to milk every last ounce of satisfaction out of it. The memories would fuel you for years of his utterly ruined expression, tears slipping down his cheeks as he drooled uncontrollably.

“So pretty, darling,” you purred, licking the tears from his cheek. You gave him another kiss, letting his hands wander over your waist and up your front. “So good for me. Do you think you can handle more?”

His eyes widened, breath quickening. He glanced down, then shook his head jerkily. Then nodded. Then shook his head.

You tilted your head. “Hmmm.” A wicked grin crossed your lips. “No? Oh, but I think you can,” your said, just as you lifted yourself and fully sheathed him inside you.

Jesse sobbed. His mouth opened, tongue lolling as he gasped. Tears poured down his cheeks from the mingled pleasurable pain and relief. His cock throbbed inside you, and his hands grasped desperately at your thighs. His entire body started to shake, arching.

You barely gave him time to adjust before you were already bouncing on him, hands braced against the back of the couch. Laughter spilled from your lips, delighted and cruel, as his hands scrabbled against your thighs, raking across your skin. Moans kept being torn from his throat, your name framed on his lips.

As soon as you angled your hips and brought your fingers down to ring tight circles on your clit, you hissed in pleasure. You pulsed around his cock, earning another helpless sob and wave of tears. He just hit that one spot inside you perfectly, again and again, until you bit your lip and moaned his name as you came around him. Your body clenched down on him, even as you kept fucking yourself through your orgasm.

More laughter spilled from your lips. “Are you gonna cum for me, Jesse, my pretty darling?” you asked breathlessly, purposely moaning his name. “Gonna cum inside me?”

The only warning you got from Jesse was another sob and the gritting of his teeth. His hands flew to your hips, slamming you down on him one more time before holding you there with an iron grip. Gasps tore from his mouth, his eyes trying to blink away tears as he stared up at you.

You hummed, caressing his hands and arms as you bit your lip in satisfaction. He kept pouring into you, his hips jerking once in a while and wringing a whimper from him. Finally, you leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. His lips parted under yours weakly, chest heaving under your hands.

“Thank you, Jesse,” you cooed sweetly between kisses. “You’re so good to me, make me feel so good.” Your mind fuzzed with the pleasure of both your high and the sight of his tears.

He pushed up against you, kissing you fervently. Though he didn’t say a word, you could feel his thoughts through his drugged, sloppy kiss.

You giggled, teasingly clenching down on him one more time and earning a jerk and grunt. “And I forgive you. But don’t do it again, okay?”

Jesse’s calculating look as he clearly weighed the consequences made you roll your eyes but laugh. Maybe this one would turn out to backfire against you, next time.

You decided it was worth it.

[writtenfromhawkins]

my birthday present to myself is going to be finally finishing this damn jonathan x reader fic. coming soon to a screen near you.

[smol-midgets]

Professor!Andrew AU

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

So his students know how soft he is, but they are also kind of terrified of the short midget. The constant death threats don't help

"Get used to it, you're majoring in criminology"

One day "If you don't want a knife between your ribs I'd recommend being less of a nuisance"

"Professor, you don't have knives"

Andrew looks pointedly at his armbands

".....Do you have knives in your armbands!?"

"Don't ask stupid questions"

They still don't know if he has knives in his armbands

He's staying back after school often, teaching John, some of the strikers from the team also stay back to improve further

On morning of November 4th, Andrew wakes up to Neil gently calling his name

He opens his eyes to find bright blue eyes staring down at him, hair glowing auburn from the sunlight filtering through the windows, and a gorgeous smile

Neil bends down to whisper a soft happy birthday against his lips, before lightly kissing him. "Go brush, Drew, and come out for breakfast"

He comes out for breakfast and sees Neil standing by the counter, preparing pancakes

"You made pancakes?"

"Don't worry I didn't poison them"

"You're cooking is inedible enough, you don't need the poison"

Neil pouts and Andrew has to kiss it away. One kiss turns to two, then ten, and then Andrews setting Neil on the kitchen counter, they're lips not parting the entire time

Andrew gets late for his class

when he gets there, Kevin is sitting at his desk. Students are staring because Kevin Day is sitting in their classroom in front of them

Cue Andrew's "What the fuck are you doing here"

Kevin is out of Andrew's chair in an instant "You're late for your class. And I wanted to tell you to come to that La Guardia restraunt by 6 today"

Andrew narrows his eyes "Why"

"I wanna have dinner with you"

"Why"

"What do you mean why! Can't I wanna have dinner with my best friend on his birthday??" Did he say best friend??? Professor Minyard is best friends with Kevin Day?? And it's his birthday??????

"You were never a good liar"

"I just wanna have dinner with you!"

"Try again"

Kevin's eyes dart around him, as if looking for help

"Spill day, or leave, but stop wasting my time"

*sighs* "Fine, we have a surprise planned for you"

"I hate surprises"

"We know but you'll love this one! I swear! Will you just come to the damned restaurant Andrew!?"

"No"

Kevin tries a little more, but eventually throws his hands in the air and leaves grumbling to himself (Andrew enjoys saying no to Kevin way too much)

"Is it your birthday today professor?"

"Yes"

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"I don't care about it" and that was that

When Andrew gets home Neil asks him if he enjoyed his birthday present. When Andrew only raises his eyebrows Neil says "It's been a long time since you really got to say no to Kevin. I know how much you enjoy it. That was your first birthday present. Well... second since this morning" And then smiles cheekily

Andrew rolls his eyes, but they're fond "So are you going to try to convince me to come now?"

"I definitely want you to. We know you don't like surprises but I really thought you'd enjoy this. If you say no nobody is going to force you"

"What will you give me for it?"

"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to"

And how could Andrew say no to his junkie now?

So they go to the restraunt, and all the foxes, plus a few other people from Andrew and Neil's old exy team are there (only the people they got close to). Some of Aaron's colleagues are there too. Everyone wishes Andrew and Aaron happy birthday. It's a good reunion, he gets the chance to catch up

Kevin and Aaron drink a lot and get up to weird shenanigans. Matt starts behaving like a puppy and cooing over Dan and Neil. Allison and Nicky start betting on everything and drag the rest of the foxes into it too

Andrew pretends to be annoyed by how he has to deal with the foxes' antics, but he's secretly happy to be around their weirdness again

A few hours later Neil and Andrew leave the party, and Neil takes Andrew to the roof of an abandoned building, where they share whiskey, cigarettes and kisses

They go home and cuddle and fall asleep

The next day his students have prepared an assortment of his favourite chocolates and ice creams (how he manages to maintain that body is a mystery), and a copy of a book he wanted

Andrew is just staring, and at first they think he doesn't like it but then they notice the reverent way he's holding the book (it's a book he's thought of buying for a long time)

"There's even a few cupcakes for your wife here"

"Husband" Andrew corrects automatically, finally able to unstick his tongue from his mouth, "and he doesn't like anything sweet"

Fortunately for them they quickly gather themselves and respond with smiles "Oh sorry. Well, more for you then"

They know better than to think that Andrew will thank them. But when he starts eating what they got him while teaching, they know he liked it

One day students slowly filter in the class to find a man in a large black hoodie sitting at the back of the class

Of course they are criminology students they're not going to just ignore a shady man in their class they've never seen before

So after bugging and threatening the man a little, he lifts his hoodie to reveal

Neil josten

What?!!???!!??

Several students are mortified because they just threatened Neil fucking Josten

Others are still trying to get over their shock at seeing Neil fucking Josten in real life

Andrew enters the class and looks at Neil "Aren't you supposed to be at practice". As if Neil Josten sitting in their classroom is a perfectly normal thing. Right, the only thing weird in this scenario is that he's missing practice. That's it.

Neil responds "I wanted to see you teach"

Andrew narrows his eyes "Did they kick you out? What did you do"

Now Neil looks sheepish "Ah yeah, I kind of hurt myself and Coach forced me to take the day off, but I do want to see you teach."

Andrew is visibly irritated and is grumbling something to himself quietly

The students' eyes are wide because that's probably the most emotion they've seen on their professor's face

He turns to the class and is clearly unimpressed "I don't want to be here either, but that doesn't give you free pass to stare at my face and do nothing. And you," looks pointedly at Neil, "if you're going to sit there you better keep that mouth shut."

Neil considers making a comment about how they might be staring because he's so pretty, but let's it go. However he definitely smirks at Andrew in a way that clearly says "you know how to shut me up"

Andrew tries very hard not to blush, and turns to the board in case he was unsuccessful (he was)

Everyone forcibly look away from the celebrity sitting in their classroom and try to concentrate on the lesson

Andrew makes sure they pay attention (flying chalks make for surprisingly good projectiles)

He finishes his lesson 5-10 minutes early so his students can talk to Neil like they have been dying to the entire time

In his office, later after class, Andrew looks over Neil's injuries

"It's not that bad, Drew. Really I'm f—"

He's interrupted by Andrew's mouth on his. "Don't" is all Andrew says between kisses. Neil smiles

I am SO sorry this part has come this late. I've had a lot on my plate these days. On the bright side, you will be happy to know I've found the super old post that inspired this fic! You can find it here. Credits to @humongousvoidbear for that. (I'll admit this entire fic could be better, but again, this was completely self-indulgent.)

EDIT: I have made a small edition to this part, because someone wanted a meeting of Neil and the students. This is the best I could come up with, hope you like it!

[newtcallsmetommy]

2 am Confessions (A newtmas drabble)

I saw this post by @skeletentacles :

thomas: *throwing rocks at newt’s window*

newt, loudly: you have a phone for a reason you know!

*thump*

newt, lifting window: DID YOU JUST THROW YOUR PHONE AT MY WINDOW

And @persnickett was like  “alskdjadklsfj please someone write it lol” so I thought to myself “why not?” and went ahead and wrote it (this is not beat read and English isn’t my first language so please excuse any mistakes)

I also posted it on Ao3 in case you rather wanna read it there, my username there is sunlightschadow (I’m not linking the fic since tumblr still isn’t a fan of links to other pages I think)

Thomas had decided. Today would be the day he finally confessed his feelings to Newt.

Newt, the beautiful British boy who had been his best friend since childhood, which was when Newt had moved to America. Newt, who had always been by Thomas' side, getting him out of trouble or getting into it along with him, making him laugh when he was sad, or simply offering a shoulder to cry on. Newt, who looked like an angel to Thomas with his fluffy blond hair and his dark chocolate eyes that you could get lost in and who had the most beautiful laugh known to mankind (at least if you asked Thomas).

So today was the day. Today he would finally confess to Newt because frankly he couldn't hold it in anymore.

Too bad it was almost 2 am when Thomas had come to this decision and he decidedly did not want to wake up the other boys parents by ringing the doorbell to his house. So, inspired by various romantic movies, he decided to throw rocks at Newts window to hopefully wake the boy so he could confess his love to him.

Finally, after a good 5 minutes of rock throwing, the lights in Newt's room switched on. Thomas wanted to make sure Newt knew it was urgent though so he kept throwing small rocks at his window until a loud voice from inside interrupted him. It was Newt, somehow instinctively knowing that only Thomas would pull a stunt like this, without even having to look out of the window.

"You have a phone for a reason you know!" the Brit yelled.

Oh, true. Why hadn't Thomas thought of that earlier? So without thinking he pulled his phone out of the back pocket of his jeans and threw it at Newt's window. It had the desired effect, the other boy finally opened his window.

"DID YOU JUST THROW YOUR PHONE AT MY WINDOW?!" Newt yelled.

Thomas looked down at his now empty hands, then at his phone which lay in the grass a few meters away and then up at Newt. "Uh... yes?" he answered.

"Tommy! I meant to text me! Not buggin' throw it like those rocks! What in the bloody hell is so important you wake me up for it at 2 in the morning anyway?!" Newt asked. Thomas was impressed his parents hadn't woken up yet from all the noise but the lights in the rest of the house stayed turned off. He also had to force himself to concentrate and not get sidetracked because Newts accent got stronger when he was annoyed and/or sleepy and both were the case right now and it was so damn cute.

He should probably answer Newt though before the other boy threw something back at him so he took all his courage together to get his next words out.

"I do stupid stuff! Like throwing my phone at your window without thinking! But you know I always think it through when it counts! Like when you're upset and I think it through before I say what I say to cheer you up! Or the way I think it through to get you the perfect birthday present each year! And I thought this thing through for a long long time too!" he yelled, hoping he wasn't waking up the entire neighborhood. He took a deep breath.

"I love you Newt!"

Silence. Simply silence. Newt just stared at him and suddenly he was gone from the window. Thomas felt his heart crumble in his chest. He had messed up. Oh god why had he thought this was a good idea? He probably destroyed their friendship now, he-

Before his thoughts could spiral even more the front door of Newt's house suddenly flew open. Once again he was impressed Newt's parents weren't waking up from all this ruckus.

Newt stormed towards him and before he could process what was going on two thin but strong arms were wrapped around him in a bone crushing hug. He hugged back on instinct, his arms finding their familiar place around Newt's waist. They hugged a lot, okay?

"I love you too, you bloody idiot," Newt gasped out next to his ear, a little out of breath from running down the stairs.

Leaning back out of there hug a bit, Newt's hands went up to cup Thomas' face. Thomas could only stare back at him, mesmerized by the blush on Newt's usually pale cheeks and the twinkle in his chocolate eyes.

"Tommy? Can I kiss you?" he asked and Thomas was already nodding before he even finished his question. So Newt flashed him a brilliant smile that made the breath stutter in Thomas' chest and then leaned in. Their lips met softly, gently, yet firmly, simply wonderfully. The kiss felt a lot like coming home, like puzzle pieces finally clicking into place. It simply felt right.

After a few moments they pulled back, but neither went far. They rested their foreheads together and one of Newts hand's went to one of Thomas' hands on his waist and he linked their fingers together.

"So? Boyfriends?" Thomas asked, sounding hopeful. Newt gave him a chuckle. "Yes, boyfriends, Tommy," he answered with a squeeze to Thomas' hand.

Newt traced his thumb over Thomas' cheekbone. "Do tell me though, why did you think throwing rocks at my window was the smartest idea to wake me up? You could have simply given me a call or rung the doorbell," the blond asked. "I didn't want to wake up your parents," Thomas answered.

At that Newt drew his head back a little to look into Thomas' eyes, frowing. "Tommy, my parents are out of town for the weekend visiting my grandparents, I told you that two days ago," he said. Oh. Thomas flushed bright red. "I-I forgot about that," he stuttered out.

Newt simply gave his most beautiful laugh known to mankind (according to Thomas) at that and tugged at Thomas' hand. "Alright Tommy. Now come on, in case you haven't noticed it's the middle of the bloody night and I want sleep. You can cuddle me to make up for waking me up so rudely," And well, now Thomas wouldn't say no to that offer.

(The broken phone screen was worth the laugh it still drew out of Newt when he retold the story at their wedding a few years later.)

[marleyrose17]

Almost Paradise ( Owen Patrick Joyner Fic )

Hey everyone! This story is gonna be a Owen Patrick Joyner story and I will be pairing the reader with Owen, so I’ll put Y/N anytime the main character is mentioned or is talking. This is my first story since high school so please bear with me as the writing will slowly become better the more I write. I hope all you fellow Owen simps like myself like this story. FYI this story takes place if COVID 19 never existed. Please check out my best friend Sydney ( @imsydneywalker) for cute Charlie Fics. Love Yall.

Summary: Y/N just turned 22 and decided to make a spontaneous trip to L.A California USA from Dieppe,New Brunswick, Canada to visit her best friend Charlie Gillespie for her 22nd birthday present to herself. He doesn’t know she’s coming, hence the surprise. But little does she know would she get a little surprise of her own on her way to America.

Chapter 1: Someday

House outfit: https://urstyle.fashion/styles/2814065

*Week before Reader’s birthday* 2021

Y/N’s thoughts: It has been forever since I’ve last seen my best friend Charles Jeffrey Gillespie or how I like to call him Arlo *as I hold onto the necklace he gave me for my 15th birthday*. Weird nickname I know, but I’ve been calling him that since kindergarten and I’m not changing it. It’s almost my 22nd birthday so I felt like I should treat myself to a present of seeing my best friend for a little while. Momma bear doesn’t know yet but I don’t think she’ll care as much since she loves Charlie as one of her own kids, so just taking a trip cross country shouldn’t be too hard to tell her. Right? Let’s find out.

*Y/N walks down to the kitchen from her bedroom*

“Hey mami,” Y/N says as she sits on one of the barstools, popping a green grape and dipping it into nutella into her mouth.

“Yes Y/N nickname?” Y/N’s mom says in a what do you want tone, while finishing cleaning up the kitchen after dinner.

“What?” Y/N asks.

“I already know you want something. You never come back downstairs after dinner unless you’re getting a snack or you want something. I’m your mother, remember.”

“Damn, that predictable huh? Anyways, yes I wanted to ask you something or more like tell you something. So I was thinking for my 22nd birthday I could possibly fly down to America and see your adopted son for a couple weeks. You know I’ve been wanting to move down to L.A so why not go for my birthday. I’d obviously stay at Arlo’s, money shouldn’t be an issue since I’ve been saving plus birthday money from past years. Sooo?” Y/N finishes saying while looking at her mom with puppy eyes.

“You already bought your plane ticket didn’t you?” your mom says while staring at you with one eyebrow raised.

“.... maybe…. no actually, I wanted to see what you’d say first before splurging.” Y/N  says while looking down at the bowl of grapes and looks up again to smile cheeky at her mom.

Your mom rolls her eyes and laughs. “ Sure, why not. Do you want me to call Maman J so she can tell Charlie?” your mom asks.

“No no, I want it to be a surprise. It’s kind of a birthday present to myself since Arlo decided to be like “ I wanna be an actor and blah blah blah”. You say mimicking him.

“Alright, well as an early birthday present, I’ll buy your ticket. Should I make it a round trip or a one way?”

“Ummm make it a one way trip, I’ll let you know when I want to come home. You know Arlo, he always has some random hiking trip he wants to take, and knowing him he might drag me to one of those trips” you say rolling your eyes.

“No problem. You better go upstairs and start packing.” your mom says.

*You dip one last green grape into nutella and pop it into your mouth before you hop off the bar stool to give your mom a kiss* “You’re the best mami!”

*You run back to your room and start planning the whole trip*

*5:30pm One day before reader’s birthday and your flight*

*you're sitting on your bed finishing up some last minute packing, when you hear a knock at your door.*

“Come in.” Y/N says without turning around.

“Hey hun.” your mom says.

*you turn around to face your mom* “Hey mami, whats up?” *you say while sitting on top of your luggage trying to close it*

Your mom chuckles, “Here is your plane ticket for your flight, it's at 5:55am, you have a connecting flight to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma which will have a connecting flight to L.A.X.”, your mom says handing you the tickets. “So you better finish packing and get some rest.”

*You reach for the tickets while trying not to fall of your luggage* “Awesome, thanks mami.”

“No problem, just get some rest ok. I will drive you to the airport.” your mom says while walking out of your room.

“Ok!” you yell through the door. *You finally got the luggage to close* “YES!�� you say standing up on the edge of your bed but then proceed to fall off your bed in the process which leads to a loud thud hitting the floor. “I’M OK!” you yell before your mom asks.

You place your luggages and carry ons by your door and start getting ready for bed. You look into the mirror one last time and stare at the picture of you and Charlie at the waterfront, ( https://www.instagram.com/p/B-suC_WF8Cu/) ( just pretend its yall, I know its like his cousin or friend)

“L.A.X I’ll see you tomorrow.” you say to yourself before walking to bed.

*Reader’s birthday* 3:00am

Airport Outfit: https://urstyle.fashion/styles/2813992 (girl on the left is what your hair looks like)

*your phone goes off at 3:00 am with the song I See Fire by Ed Sheeran playing from your phone softly.*

*You groan annoyingly wondering why you’re up so early, when you realize it is your 22nd birthday and you have a flight to catch in two hours. You spring out of bed, pop your airpods in and blair The OtherSide from The Greatest Showman and begin getting ready for your long day of flying*

*Dancing towards your bathroom, you turn on your shower to warm up and start brushing your teeth. You lay out the outfit you will be wearing to the airport on your bed, take out your headphones and head into the shower.*

*20 mins later. You hear a knock on your bathroom door*

“Almost done sweetie?” your mom asks.

“Yes, I’m just finishing up, I’ll be down soon.” you say through the door.

*Because you’re going to the airport you didn’t put too much makeup on, just enough to make yourself look kind of awake on the flights. You put your hair in a messy bun, put on your jean jacket, take one last look in the mirror before you shut off the light and head out.*

*You look around your room to make sure you grab any last minute items for your carry on. Especially making sure you have your Beats, charger, spare hair elastics and gum. You go to grab your luggage when you realize your mom already did and placed them in the car. Best mom ever. You grab your guitar case and your bag and head out.*

*Skip the car ride, you’re already at the airport*

“You’re sure you have everything right?” your mom asks while taking the stuff out of the car.

“Yes, I promise, I have everything I need. If I forgot anything important I will call you and have it shipped to Arlo’s.” you say while closing the trunk of the car.

“Alright, have a safe trip hun, please be safe and try not to get Charlie in too much trouble ok?” your mom says while hugging you goodbye.

*GASP* “ HEY! I’m a good noodle, Arlo’s the one who dared me to jump in the fountain at the mall. You know me I could never pass up a good dare.” you say while breaking the hug.

“Haha, yes I know which leads you to getting sick. Remember, it was winter.” your mom retorts back.

“ Yeah yeah I know, I’m still a good noodle though.” You chuckle while grabbing your stuff again.

Your mom shakes her head, “Go before you miss your flight silly.” She says while turning you around.

“Ok, ok I get it you want me gone.” You say laughing while walking towards the automatic doors.

“OH SWEETIE!” your mom calls out.

You turn around. “Yes?” you ask

“Happy Birthday!” your mom yells in front of everybody.

You stare at her like really. “Thanks mami. I love you too”

*You walk inside the airport and walk towards the check in line to check in all your luggages.*

*Skip to you’re already on the plane before take off.*

*You check your phone for the time, plug in your Beats, place them on and hit shuffle before. You look out the window watching the sun just barely starting to rise before you close it and begin to read your book, for the next 4 hours.*

*4 hours later*

*You finish up one of your books, you pull off your headphones just in time to hear the pilot announce that you guys are about to land. You place your book and headphones back into your bag and prepare to land.*

* You get off the plane and check the time on your phone to notice that your connecting flight is almost here and you begin to panic. You check your ticket and realize that of course your flight is on the other end of the terminal, so you begin to run and book it to the other end, hoping you’ll make it on time.*

“Excuse me! Sorry! Sorry! Excuse me!” you say as you weave through airport traffic.

*Half way through your running spree you look down at your phone again to make sure you didn’t miss your flight when you feel your arm get tugged from behind you. You notice one of yours and someone else’s luggage clipped each other by the wheels and they both go flying. “Sorry, my bad.” you say as you grab a luggage, not even looking up to see who you collided with and go back to your sprinting.*

“Yes!” you say to yourself as you make it to your gate. The flight hasn’t boarded yet so you take a seat and wait for your row to be called. You get to your gate, hand the lady your ticket and proceed to board your flight.

*You place your carry-on luggage into the overhead bin and take your seat, when you notice a very sweaty guy just barely making it onto the flight. You chuckle to yourself.*

*3 hours later*

“Alright passengers, we will be landing very shortly. The weather today is 89 degrees, partly cloudy, and 40% of humidity. Welcome to Los Angeles, California passengers.” the pilot announces over the intercom.

*You place your headphones back on, and calmly this time walk off the plane and head towards baggage claim*

*As you’re waiting your favorite song Someday by Max Schneider starts to play. You begin to sway back and forth, humming to the tune when you then feel a tap on your shoulder. You turn around to see who it was and begin to stare at him weirdly wondering why you can’t hear the guy talk*

“Oh shit, my bad. Forgot.” you say as you take off your headphones to actually hear what the guy was saying.

“It's cool, all I was saying was that I was sorry for colliding with you back in Oklahoma. I wasn’t paying attention, I was in a rush and didn’t see you. It wasn’t until after that I noticed that the gate was in the opposite direction.” A dirty blonde guy explains to me.

“Oh no, it was totally my fault, I should have been looking up instead of on my phone. I guess we were both in a rush. But hey, I like your jean jacket. Pretty dope.” I say to him.

“Right back atcha.” he retorts.

*Awkwardly stands next to each other waiting for your luggage to arrive*

“Welp, that's my luggage. Have fun in L.A.” The guy says as he grabs his other luggage and heads towards the exit.

“Thanks, you too crash buddy.” you say back.

*you grab your luggages from the conveyor belt and pull to the side so you’re not in the way of people. You go to open one of your luggages to make sure nothing spilled on the flights/crash over, when you notice that the things in one of the luggages isn’t yours.*

“Shit, I must have accidentally switched luggages with that guy back in Oklahoma.” you say to yourself as you look around to hopefully see if he is still around.

*You close up the luggage, and begin to gather your things and head towards the exit, hoping the guy hasn’t left the airport yet. You get to the exit, head outside and don’t see the guy you bumped into.*

“Damn it!” you say defeated, “How will I ever get my stuff back? What a way to start off my birthday.”

*You get an uber and head towards Arlo’s place*

[tipsydipsydo]

『© tipsydipsydo』

All listed and linked work (that includes my writings, my fake texts and my moodboards) in here is my intellectual property and belongs only to my blog tipsydipsydo.tumblr.com!

Do not repost, plagiarize, translate or use any of my work in general!

That includes reposting my content on other social media platforms too, even when you link me as the original author.

Please respect that. I’ll fight any illegal use of my work!

Thank you.

「Information: Only the unique combination of pictures, the colour schemata and editing of the moodboards is my intellectual work! I don’t own the pictures themselves and all credits are going to the rightful owners!」

➸ Blog Navigation

A post where you'll find all my other themed Masterlists of my writings, my personal sideblog, my fic-recs blogs and so much more!

➸ My Networks

This is a list of all the networks where I got accepted as a writer in their community. Please check them out! 

➙ Information!

All the showed (anonymized) persons on my Moodboards should only symbolizes specific scenes, situations, outfits, jewelry or cosmetics! Nothing of this should make you feel excluded when you have a different skin color, hair color/structure, body shape or gender!

My scenarios and fics should be open for everyone to read, that’s why I try my best to write gender neutral and male scenarios/fanfics as well!

(Some scenarios or fics could still be personalized for specific groups of people or communities where I think they deserve some more attention and love! For example because there is a lack of writings for them etc.)

What I want to say:

We all are the same equal in our own unique existence!💓

I love all of you guys!🤗💓

» Gender «

↬ Female: ♔ [♔-Reader]

↬ Male: ♚  [♚-Reader]

↬ Gender neutral: ♕  [♕-Reader]

» Genre Key «

↬ Fluff: 🌸 

↬ Angst: 🌧 

↬ Hurt and Comfort: ☔

↬ Serious Themes: ⚠️🚫                                                                                

 (For example sexual assault, (mental) illnesses, traumatic experiences, rascism, antisemitism, islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia etc.) 

➙ We can’t take those things easy and I’ll not accept that someone “joke” about it!                                                                                                 

↬ Comedy/Crack: 🌞 

↬ Soft Smut [sweet vanilla~]: 💋 

↬ Hard Smut [kinky stuff~]: 😈 

   ┃ ➙ [💋😈]: kinky smut with feelings ;)             

[Information]

I made a list where I explain what kind of sexual content I’d write, how I interpret different kinks (especially how the Dom-/Sub-Dynamic in my fics work) and with what kind of Smut I’m not comfortable.

 ┃➙ My sexual content Rules!                      

» Other useful symbols «

↬ Scenarios: 💭

↬ “Connected to” (connected to an other scenario/fic/series): 🖇 

 ► Kink-Scenario 😈💋  [♔- Reader] 

[What kind of dirty secret(s) could the boys have?]

 ► Halloween Costume-Scenario  🌸💋😈 [♔- Reader]

[You’re wearing a scandalous Halloween Costume for a Halloweenparty...]

 ► Their favourite Make out-/Sex-Songs: Hyung Line Maknae Line  💋😈   [♔- Reader] 

[Which songs would bring the boys right into the mood?] 

 ► Honeymoon-Destinations: Hyung Line Maknae Line 🌸 [♔- Reader]

[What cities/countries would they choose for their honeymoon-trip?] 

 ► When the boys have a crush on you!

     ▸  Their feelings for you! 🌸  

        ▪ here [♕- Reader]

     ▸  Their dirty thoughts about you! 💋😈 

        ▪ About him  [♚- Reader]

        ▪ About her   [♔- Reader]

► Easter Special 🌸💋😈

[You’re wearing a sexy bunny outfit for them on Easter Sunday!]

    ▪  Easter with her! [♔- Reader]

    ▪  Easter with him!  [♚- Reader]

» Series Key «

↬ Finished: 💯

↬ Ongoing: 💬

↬ Long Term Project: 📅

↬ Paused: ⁉️

↬ Uncompleted: 🗑

(the last one will hopefully never happen...)

 ▲ ▼ ▲▼▲

► Naughty Days ‘til Christmas 💋😈 [♔|♚|♕-Reader]

This is a spicy Advent Calendar for Christmas: The Boys bought an Erotic Advent-Calendar and every day they unpack another sexy Accessory with the Reader. Of course they try all the products! 💬

(24 Smut-Drabbles with female/male/gender neutral Readers) 

► BTS Dog Hybrid-Series   🌸🌧💋😈  mostly [♔-Reader] BUT [♚/♕-Reader] possible!

Seven different stories about the boys in a world where humans and hybrids exists, an unique ethnicity of humans they’re able to shift their shape into a dog.    ⁉️| 📅

► BTS “We’re all the same equal!”- Series 🌸💋🌧⚠️🚫 [♔|♚|♕-Reader]

 We all deserve the same love, no matter if we’re are chubby, thin, tall, short, have white or colored skin, are a female, male or an other gender. It simply doesn’t matter. And the boys would still love us. And they would teach us to love ourselves.  ⁉️| 📅

 ► Disobedience [Hoseok x Reader x Namjoon] 😈 [♔- Reader]

Summary: You are sexually frustrated, annoyed and bored, which is why you started to mastubate without the permission of you boyfriends, Namjoon and Hoseok. Even if they promised to take care of your needs tonight. But you don’t feel like waiting anymore. But you also didn’t expect that Hobi will catch you with your pastel blue dildo deep into your pussy...  

► l’innocence indécente [Jimin x Reader x Jungkook] 💋 [♔- Reader] 

Synopsis: Jungkook and Jimin want to try something new with you... and you have to admit that you like it. A lot... 

► Prey  [Jimin x Reader x Taehyung] 😈💋 [♔- Reader]

Synopsis:

► Birthday Princess [Yoongi x Reader x Taehyung feat. Jungkook] 😈 [♔- Reader] 

Synopsis: You have Birthday today and your two boyfriends make sure that you will be sexually pleased to the ultimate maximum...

► Birthday Gift [Seokjin x Reader x Jimin] 😈 [♔- Reader]

Synopsis: Your Boyfriend Jimin bought you something very specific as your birthday present. You should use it as a preparation tool before you’ll get the real birthday gift tonight... 

 ► Halloween Special 💋😈  [♔- Reader]

 ► Easter Special 🌸💋😈

     ▪  Easter with her!  [♔- Reader]

     ▪  Easter with him!  [♚- Reader]

► My Fake-Texts Masterlist  [Semi-active/inactive] [♔- Reader]

Note: At the beginning of my blog I was more focused on making fake texts (simply it was easier and more comfortable for me back then because I was a bit insecure about my language struggles) but now it’s not my main thing anymore. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to make fake texts in general anymore but right now I like the “real” writing much more! So I don’t know when I’ll make new fake texts. 

► Improvisation 🌸💋😈 [♚-Reader]

Summary: This wasn't planned. Well, the whole world didn't planned to deal with a damn pandemic in 2020! If everything would have gone "normally", you would be in Seoul with Jin right in this moment and just enjoy that you're finally able to be close to Jin again. But now you two are stucked at home, Jin in his dorm in Seoul and you in your apartement in your town, far away from him. So you have to improvise for now on, how you want to deal with longing emotions and urging sexual desires... 

► Strawberry Kiss  🌸💋 [♕-Reader]

Summary: It's Friday Afternoon and when Jin comes home from work, the freshly baked strawberry cake smells deliciously. But he decided that a taste of you is even sweeter, especially when you're not wearing any underwear underneath your thin summer dress...

► Birthday Gift [Seokjin x Reader x Jimin] 😈 [♔- Reader]

►  Home  🌸🌧  [♕-Reader]

Summary: You finally managed to spend your two semesters abroad studying in Korea! However, after some unfortunate circumstances, you want nothing more than finally be able to fly home again. But your Roommate Namjoon has some ideas to make your year abroad still wonderful...  

► Precious  🌸💋 [♔- Reader]

Summary: Today is your birthday and because your last few weeks have been terribly stressful, you want nothing more than to be able to sleep in in your day off. However, Namjoon has to go to practice all day long, that’s why he has found a very gentle method of waking you up to unpack your presents together...   

► Disobedience ft. Hoseok 😈 [♔- Reader]

► Business Trip 💋😈 [♔- Reader] 

Summary: It's a stressful life to be the CEO of a big and international known company. Always hopping onto the next flight to a new investor or business partner, all around the globus. But sometimes he can't fix his little problem alone, so you need to help him out with some naughty stuff through these rough times of his job~   ► Jar of Kinks 💋😈 [♔- Reader] 

This Two-Shot is based on my own Jars of Kinks. 

I identify myself as a Switch. That's the reason why I decided to write a Two-Shot to my "Jar of Kinks". So I'd be able to write both Dynamics, with Dom! Yoongi and Sub! Yoongi as well. In this Index you'll find the links to the Oneshots, combinded with their summary and their individual warnings. 

► Touched 💋😈 [♔- Reader]

Summary: This week was just so awful and shitty, every muscle in your body hurts and you're absolutely exhausted from this horror week. But Yoongi has an Idea to relax you and make you feel so loved in a way, that couldn't make thousands of compliments.

►  Netflix and Chill  🌸🌞 [♕-Reader]

Summary: Hoseok and you are best friends, especially because you two share an unique passion for which you get sometimes quizzycally looks from others. Like every friday night you meet up to watch some series on Netflix together and massage and fondle the hair of each other. All the same, all innocent as ever. Until it comes to an certain situation and you realize the true meaning behind “Netflix and Chill” faster than you expected.   

► Disobedience ft. Namjoon 😈 [♔- Reader]  

► Little Swan  😈 [♔- Reader]

Sneak Peak: Laying open, completely helpless and so vulnerable in front of him. Presented like a meal on a silver tablet. His meal, his prey. Your wolf is starving, licking his lips with an animalistic and devilish smile at the sight of your parted pussy lips. Revealing his most desired things, this swollen and sensitive clit and this pretty tiny pussyhole. Clenching around nothing, literally begging to get filled with his fat cock and stuffed up with his cum until it’s leaking out of his little sweet swan...

► Mustang v8 💋🌞 [♔- Reader]  

Summary:  You kinda have a thing for the sound of the engine of a Mustang. How bad that Hoseok’s new car is a Mustang and that your Boyfriend looks super hot while driving!

► Study Break  🌸💋 [♔- Reader]

Summary: College wants to kill you right now. Exam Phase and then you have to write a 20 page long scientific work! Jimin and you barely see each other, you gave yourself completely to your studies. Until some specific needs some attention again...   

 ► Poolside Kisses 🌸💋😈 [♔- Reader]

Summary: Jimin said, you should pack a swimsuit into your suitcase when you're going to visit him in Korea. You thought, you'll go bathing somewhere privately, maybe just with the boys or so... and not going to a pool party of one of Jimin's Idol friends where you'll not know anybody! Since then you hate yourself that you only brought your new bikini to Korea that reveals more of your bare skin that you're used to... 

► Mousse au Chocolat 💋 [♔- Reader]

Synopsis: You are Jimin’s favourite dessert...

► l’innocence indécente ft. Jungkook 💋 [♔- Reader]

► Birthday Gift [Seokjin x Reader x Jimin] 😈 [♔- Reader]

► Dirty little Secret  

Summary: Whenever you leave your apartement for work, you're carrying a dirty little secret to your workplace as well. To be more specific, you wear inconspicuous sex-toys underneath your business attire to keep your sex-craving libido under control. Nobody noticed something and everything went well... until now. Until your Boss and secret crush, Park Jimin, bursts into your office unannounced and hears something buzzing which definitely doesn't come from your phone. Even worse, he sees a certain remote-control laying on your desk that seems to be surprisingly familiar to him... 😈 [♔- Reader]

► The Definition of Art  🌸💋 [♚-Reader]

Summary: You’re under Taehyung’s total mercy. Tied up, bare and trembling you lay spread out in front of your boyfriend who loves to turn you into his personal piece of art... 

► Deflowered 🌸💋🌧  [♔-Reader]

Summary: You're getting married tomorrow and you want to say goodbye to your mare. There you met the stable boy Taehyung for the last time, who's your best friend and childhood crush at the same time. You will experience a stormy night full of love and passion and you'll give the biggest proof of love to him...

► The hands of a sinner 💋😈

(The Idea of this Fanfiction has two versions: for female and male readers!)

For her! [♔- Reader]

For him! [♚-Reader]

Summary: Since Jungkook got his hand tattoos, you’ve found out that they have a stronger effect on you than you would like it. You also have good reasons not to tell him that you are developing a kink for this tattoos. And these reasons getting confirmed... 

►  Goddess of the sun 💋 [♔- Reader]

Synopsis: Jungkook is the best servant for his Queen and Goddess 

► The walls 💋😈  [♔- Reader]

Synopsis: You don’t know why but today was the first Day you realized how buff and bulky Jungkook’s Biceps are. And the fact that they look delicious when they’re tensed up…

► l’innocence indécente ft. Jimin 💋 [♔- Reader]

► Der Geliebte  🌸 💋 [♔- Reader]

Summary: You and Jungkook met right at the first day you opened your own atelier in Seoul after you had to leave your old home behind you. You love paint canvas with landscape motives, other people just roll with their eyes when they hear that you choose such usual, almost boring things to paint. Not so Jungkook, he seems to be different than most of visitors. It’s almost like he can read your feelings through your paintings... 

 ► The laundry hamper  🌸 🌞 💋 😈 [♔- Reader] Summary: Jungkook has a crush on you since you moved together for college but the poor boy is way too shy to confess his feelings to you... rather he would search through your laundry hamper to get a shirt which smells after your very personal scent and tries to calm his racing heart... and other nerves. He didn’t thought to get catched by the person who already stole his whole heart in the most embarrassing situation...

This is probably the most important information on this blog 💌  

Don't be shy around me!  

You can feel absolutely free to talk to me, to stuff my inbox (even when you just want to ramble or to fangirl etc.) and my PMs are always open too! So don't hesitate to get in contact with me, you're not awkward or weird, okay?💕💕  

I'm pretty curious about you guys too and Im always up to become mutuals or even friends, okay? 🤗  

Love you, Tipsy 💜

 [Dates]

Published: 27th December 2019

Last Update: 10th August 2021

[daisylincs]

Today is, officially, the last day of 2020 - so it's literally just in time that I'm getting to @aosrecweek's amazing challenge. But that does go to show the nature of this crazy year a little bit, right? Time has just been INSANE, and I honestly cannot believe it's so close to over.

That said, I want to put it out there that everyone - absolutely everyone - who created something in this mad year, is a SUPERHERO. Like. We could have hidden away in dark corners, curled into little balls, and lost touch with our creativity entirely - but instead, we made some of the most fantastic content I have ever seen. And, excuse the language, but that is fucking amazing, of each and every single one of us. We're bloody INCREDIBLE, you guys. We really are.

Now, the rules of this challenge dictate that I've got to start with some of my own things, then repeat with the same number of creations by other people. So I'm going to do that, and I apologise for the sheer length (and self-plug-iness) of what is about to follow - but, bloody incredible, remember? I really mean that. 💜💜💜

My Own:

you could call me babe for the weekend - 19k of Spideychelle being oblivious, mutually pining IDIOTS while being snowed in. And, you know, fake dating. (This thing was SO MUCH FUN to write and though, yeah, it got completely out of control, as evidenced by the 19k, I still really love it.)

'tis the damn season - my first attempt at writing a multi-chap, and, yeah, it only has one chapter as of now, but I really love said chapter. Basically, it's Daisy and Mackelena being friends, and honestly just the BEST friends - I adore the style I managed to achieve in this thing. Plus, the Skimmons I have planned up next is going to be da bomb.

the closest thing - Philindaisy plus fake family. Also; amusement parks. And for a fangirl like me - well, it was pretty much a dream come true to write!

oh valley of plenty - in this fic, I basically told myself, so AoS won't give us Huntingbird in the finale? Fine. I'll just do it myself then - in the fluffiest way possible. And that's exactly what I did - making them, and their kids, be best friends in Perthshire.

maybe life should be about more - a very angsty Skimmons and Daisy-centric AU, focusing on the internalised homophobia Daisy has experienced through her life, and shaking it off (and eventually, y'know, getting together with Jemma.)

and it's dark in a cold december (but i've got you to keep me warm) - Fitzsimmons just make such a supreme pairing for hurt/comfort, what with how insanely well they understand each other and care about each other, so I'm really glad for the Fitzsimmons Secret Santa giving me the chance to write this! Basically, this follows our science duo through a stressful mission on Christmas Eve (so yes, it's a mission fic!!) and realising that the two of them can do anything together.

july second - ahhh, one of my personal favourites to write! Daisy birthday surprise fluff will always be top-notch for me, especially for all the team-as-family fluff you can add in, especially especially that this is set in Staticquake times! Also, it's from Hunter's point of view, which will forever be the most insanely fun thing to write, I do think.

i just wanna be with you - man, I'm such a big royal fan, so getting the chance to write a modern royalty AU for my OTP was nothing short of amazing!! This is Princess Daisy and her fiancée Lincoln Campbell at their official engagement interview

see the line where the skye meets the sea - shameless season 1 bby Bus Kids fluff, featuring movie nights, singalongs and... so much fluff your teeth will rot. Also I'm really freaking proud of the pun in the title okay

'cause all that you are is all that i'll ever need - Huntingbird waking up together fluff (because, fight me, Huntingbird in their sweet moments is one of the sweetest things you will ever get to read or write.) This is also my, fluffy, take on the origin of the Franny's Saloon keychain.

we love you, we love you (and we hope you love we too) - aha, my first polyship fic! Also my first try at some actually fancy HTML formatting (forever thanks to Kat for explaining.) Both of these things combined to form a fic that even I think is ridiculously fluffy and funny, and kinda amazing, at that.

and man I don't know where the time goes (but it sure goes fast like that) - Another Bus Kids movie night fic, but this one set post-season 7, and reflecting on how far they've come. A little bit more hurt/comfort-y than it's pure fluff prequel, but still super fluffy and soft. And, of course, with a happy ending.

she shares my dreams, i hope that someday, i'll share her home - snowy Fitzsimmons fluff, complete with them falling in love at the Winter Olympics, as you do.

then you walked in and my heart went boom - 16k of Dekesy for the wife, and remarkable for that, because literally a month ago from this, I hated Dekesy with my entire soul. Then I started reading Kat's fics, and, well, fell in love with them... so much so that I wrote sixteen thousand words of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, bed sharing holiday fluff for them.

a love like that - a Fitzsimmons Cinderella AU, featuring my two favourite science babies, in true science bby style, falling in love over science and how stupid the whole courting thing is. Also, Daisy makes a brief appearance, and she's the freaking best.

ever after - ah, probably the one single fic I'm proudest of. A post-season 7 Daisy character study focusing on her emotional rollercoaster re: losing her family/things never being the same again, which just achieves... an emotional level that I have never managed to replicate again. I was full-on sobbing while writing it, and, guys, it also part-holds the Closest To Making Kat Cry prize.

blue - Daisy character study spanning snapshots of seven seasons, and before - but tied together by something blue in every moment. Researching for this, and finding all the blue moments, was very interesting, and immensely satisfying, especially since all the moments where a little bit of blue was present actually combine to chronicle Daisy's journey on the show remarkably well.

who is that girl I see - the one time I decided to write straight angst, and straight angst with no happy ending. Melinda May post-Bahrain, folks.

take my hand, take my whole life too - aww, the first thing I wrote that I really and truly loved. A Staticquake and Fitzsimmons Actors AU, featuring a proposal on set and INCREDIBLE amounts of fluff and softness.

hold out your hand, 'cause friends will be friends - the wife's favourite, and, as second fics go, pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. It's a Soulmates AU for Staticquake and Mackelena, with the focus being on DaisyMack friendship, and lots of denial, angst, and guilt about finding their soulmates. (They figure it out eventually, don't worry - it's me, of course I made them happy.)

Fitzsimmons + Fake Dating moodboard - Fake dating will always be FAB, and picturing it out in a moodboard - especially for my clueless bby best friends in love - was the best, and super satisfying.

Staticquake + Orange moodboard - One of the cooler ideas I had for Trick or Treat (which I still have not finished, heaven help me) was to make a series of moodboards for my OTP plus different colours. This orange one is just so light, and cheerful, and happy, and honestly I kinda adore it.

This Philindaisy + Family Moodboard - making moodboards can be insanely frustrating when you just can't find the photo that fits exactly right. With this one, however, I found all the pics I needed pretty insanely fast, and, better, the whole thing just worked, and really nicely so, too.

This Bus Kids + Baking Cookies moodboard - there's absolutely NO faults to be found with tiny, adorable Skye, Fitz and Jemma concocting choc chip cookies - but I'm actually doing a tiny cheat here, because, cute as my moodboard here is, the accompanying fic by my love @eowima is the SWEETEST and best thing you could ever wish for!!!

This Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week Photoset - Day 3 of Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week focused on an emotion, and I picked confidence and power, because honestly, it's nothing short of amazing how confident and powerful our gorgeous girl has become.

This Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week Photoset - One of the times I wish I could gif, because this quote about struggling though never giving up just suits Daisy perfectly. The photos I found are cool, though, and I mean, it's Daisy, so that's already absolutely fabulous.

Other People's:

I managed to find twenty-six of my own things that I liked enough to put up there (because, yes, I'm that big a dork, 26 things for me being 26 is the way to go :D) Anyway, now that gives me the amazing chance to spotlight twenty-six of my favourite creations by my FANTASTIC mutuals! 😍

To start, my wife - Kat said I couldn't put everything she's ever written on here, so, ugh, I guess I'll just do my top five then. *grumbling* Everything by Kat is on here in spirit, though!!

Chasing Cars (even after the story ends) by @aleksandrachaev - the epic Dekesy roadtrip AU and incredible Daisy character study itself, which, I do believe, finishes today!! Words aren't enough to describe how freaking AMAZING this thing is, or how spectacularly well characterised. Just: if you haven't read this yet, you are missing out. You will laugh, you will groan, you will want to wrap Daisy in a very tight hug, and you will probably cry, too. This fic just has it all, really!

there goes the maddest man this town has ever seen by @aleksandrachaev - the post-season 7 Deke-crashes-the-Framework-Zoom-call fic I didn't know I needed (but spent the next two weeks rereading every single night.) It is absolutely INCREDIBLE, with all the Deke & Team feels we missed in the final outro scene, and honestly just the most fantastic writing. I cannot recommend it enough!

To Box It Up And Start Again (everything must go) by @aleksandrachaev - bloody hell, this BROKE me. Deke never really got to say goodbye in canon, but Kat gave him the chance to do it here. And, my freaking GOODNESS, she made it so incredibly bittersweet and heart-shattering. 10/10

i am a leaf on the wind by @aleksandrachaev - a little bit of a stretched-out, reflective moment in the season 7 finale. As Daisy lingers on the edge of death, she reflects on all the lives she could have had - and, man, what a study in bittersweetness!! This entire fic is utterly incredible, and something I think all Daisy fans should read.

Falling Into Place by @aleksandrachaev - here's a tiny cheat from me (sorry, babes, lmao) because technically this isn't one fic, but a series of three. Way too amazing to miss out on, though!! Set mid-season 7, this has the Chronicoms go after a young Mary Sue Poots to kill Quake before she can become a problem for them. They stop the Chronicoms, yes, but not without a TREMENDOUS dose of feels and hurt/comfort. There's also a wonderful little dose of Dekesy friendship, and then an adult adoption (!!) that honestly made my entire day to read. Actually, that's true for the entire series - I really canNOT yell about it enough!!

destroyer of worlds by @bobbimorseisbisexual - a study in incredible parallels between Jiaying's daughters. Utterly breathtakingly done, this will give you ALL the feels for this small and complex Inhuman family.

Muscle Memory by @robotgort and @bobbimorseisbisexual - a Huntingbird!! Bones!! AU!! And also a collaboration between two of the most fabulous Huntingbird authors in the fandom - honestly, what more can you ask for?! This will make you laugh, and gasp, and wince, and keep you guessing at each new plot twist (and also screaming at your screen for Hunter and Bobbi to get their acts together and TALK ABOUT IT.) In short: it's completely and utterly amazing, and I cannot, cannot recommend it enough!!

You Belong Among the Wildflowers by @libbyweasley - a freaking incredible Scis & Spies Regency AU! I only just started reading, but I was hooked all the way through, especially on the way Libby writes all four characters' complex relationships (and their attraction, and their history!) Everything about it is just completely stunning, and I for one cannot WAIT for these beautiful idiots to figure out they all belong together.

Family Snapshot by @tomatobookworm - if it's family fluff you're after, especially Staticquake family fluff, look no further! This tremendously soft and utterly amazing fic follows a day in the lives of a pregnant Daisy and her husband Lincoln, and their not-so-little family of Inhumans, both adopted and biological. There's also shopping with Grandma May, lots of feels, lots of shippiness, and just AMAZINGNESS all the way through!!

Best Day Ever by @loved-the-stars-too-fondly - Jemma and Daisy want to adopt a pet, and make a very special trip to Wisconsin to do it. Also, whether he knows who he is or not, Jemma has an important question to ask Cal - and just, AHHHH, everything about this is utterly stunning! For starters, Aubrey's writing is FANTASTIC, and the scene she sets is absolutely beautiful, and so very bittersweet. I was actually misting up a little with happy tears towards the end of this - really, I cannot recommend this enough, to any Skimmons fan.

so why don't we go somewhere only we know by @loved-the-stars-too-fondly - more Skimmons (platonic this time, though), more hurt/comfort, and, yes, again, more absolutely INCREDIBLE writing. This one is canon compliant, following a shaken Jemma struggling to sleep after Maveth, and how Daisy finds a way to help her out. Incredibly sweet, tender and BEAUTIFULLY written, this one was an instant favourite the moment I read it!

Unspoken by @anxiouslynumbme - a birthday fic for yours truly, and, honestly, one of the most STUNNING Staticquake introspectives I've read. It follows Daisy and Lincoln in a beautifully tender missing moment in season 3, with them both realising their feelings, and just... AHHHHHHHH, everything about it is utterly incredible!! I cannot, cannot recommend this gem of a fic enough

the thing about water droplets and ruffled hair by @que-mint-tea - here's another fic that proves, once and for all, how good Kat's Dekesy is, because it managed to convert T to write some Dekesy smut. And, oh my GOSH, what Dekesy smut - so goshdarn angsty, but so FANTASTICALLY characterised and written that it leaves you more than a little breathless, and gaping at your screen. The first chapter initially left us on the most HORRIFIC cliffhanger, but then T fixed it, and it's just... this thing is really a whole new level of emotional writing, raw and gripping and intensely perfect for both of these characters. My haw still drops whenever I think of this thing, and how utterly AMAZING it was, so yeah. Fic rec!!!

beautiful stranger, there you are by @justanalto - I do believe I still owe Serena a long and very gushy comment on this thing, because, MAN, does it ever deserve that!! Pipsy and fake dating, with the most HILARIOUSLY incredible writing, plot and characterisation, and honestly just a giddy "askhdfkhsfh" whenever I think back to how much I enjoyed it. Yup, it was that good.

Jumping to conclusions by @eowima - a very special one, because it marks my love Océane's first venture into writing AoS fic! It's an AU of 1x06 (the Fitzsimmons episode of s1) where Fitz does actually jump out of the plane to save Jemma. Realisations of feelings, and some of the most genuinely FANTASTIC Fitz characterisation I've read in a while, follow - and, yup, I was shouting at my screen for them just to get together already. Amazing stuff, really!!

Look into your eyes and the sky's the limit by @eowima - okay, this. This. Another gift for me, and one that I will probably treasure forEVER, because it is just?? so?? utterly?? perfect?? Just for starters, the title is a Hamilton reference - and then the theme of Hamilton references continues into the fic itself, I'm delighted to say. There's also the most BEAUTIFUL, playful Skimmons friendship, and teasing, and then of course the bet about who can make out with their crush first... Staticquake & Fitzsimmons perfection. And all rendered in Océane's delightful, best-thing-ever-to-read writing!! I'm going into a giddy keyboard smash just THINKING about this, so yeah, cannot recommend it enough.

lullabies and clear blue skies by @springmagpies and @bobbimorseisbisexual - okay, I never thought I'd catch myself shipping FitzBobbi, let alone shipping it this hard, but... wow. Maggie and Al teamed up to completely blow me away, and MELT MY WHOLE ENTIRE HEART with the sheer cuteness of this!! It features Fitz, Bobbi and adopting two daughters, and it's just the most tender, beautiful development through that little family - I love it so, so much.

We made all the wrong choices by @browneyedgenius - the winner of the AoS Angst War 2020, how could I not include this one? It is such a well-deserved win, though, whoa - I was sobbing, full-on sobbing, at least twice while reading. It follows the season 5 team through the events of the time-loop, after they failed to save the world - and, oh my gosh, it ripped my heart right out of my chest, but beautifully so. Everything about this fic just hits so hard, and it's written so well - yeah, really a most AMAZINGLY deserved win, for an utterly SHATTERINGLY incredible fic.

I threw stones at the stars (but the whole sky fell) by @nazezdha321 - this is Z showing us all how to write a backstory for a minor character, and write it so well that everyone's hearts break all over again when she dies. This one is about Victoria Hand, and it builds a stirring and profound childhood for her, also making her rise through the ranks of SHIELD and just her entire character mean so much more. Really, fic-wise, this is goals, and I take my hat off to you, Z, 1000%, for writing it.

in which the universe is put together by @besidemethewholedamntime - Rebecca's emotional writing, particularly Fitzsimmons' emotions, is incomparable, and she proves it all over again in this fic. If follows Fitz and Jemma before, after and during the bloodwork, and I just... wow, honestly. The emotion!! And the characterisation!! Absolutely stunning, and honestly all I could wish for in a we-had-time fic.

Agents of SHIELD Season 8 by @egumal - THIS. This, this, this, oh my gosh - as fix-it fics go, this has to be the most spectacular one I have ever read. What it does is find a way - a potentially canon compliant way, too - to bring back Lincoln Campbell, and reunite Staticquake. Basically: just about as season 7 finishes, the Astro Ambassadors get an unexpected visitor from another timeline, who asks them to come help out against Hive. Case in point, Daisy meets her lost love again (... but he has no idea who she is) and also has to relive the Fallen Agent drama. It all gets even more complicated when Kora restores Lincoln's memories, and Daisy meets the full team Deke has assembled around him in the 33 years (for him) that they've been apart... in short, this is one of the most thorough, well-written and downright SHOCKING plot-twist-wise fics that you will ever read, and honestly, saying "I can't recommend it enough" is an understatement. This thing is thd BEST, plain and simple!

Black Roses aren't real (but you and I are) by @ohwriteiforgot - ahhhh, a fic that will always have an incredibly special place in my heart, because it introduced me to one of my best fandom friends. The main focus is on Clintasha, it's true, but it's also a crossover with AoS in the sense that Clint was adopted by Coulson and May. Also, Daisy is his little sister, and their bond is gold. Also - there's Staticquake!! And flower shops!! And rivals to friends to lovers!! All I'm going to say is, what more can you ask for?!

A book to shield my story by @maybebrilliant - Staticquake High School AU, ahhhhhhhh!! There are only two chapters out so far, but the way this is shaping up is making my DAY - with Daisy as the new girl who meets Lincoln and his group of friends, and, though her foster parents are absolutely shit, starts to find actual happiness in a school for the first time in her life. Also - THE REFERENCES. Guys. I'm crazy for those, and in this book, so are my favourite dorks, Daisy and Lincoln - and let me tell you, it's nothing short of the best thing ever.

This AoS Finale Gif Edit by @heysteverogers - AoS really has been the most INCREDIBLE journey through the years, but what's really made it special is the company - and that's summed up perfectly in this gorgeous gifset. Also, the graphics on this are just, ahhhh, stunning - I'm in awe, and I've spent very long periods of time just looking at this thing in a state of heart-eyes.

This AoS Finale Gif Edit by @jemannesimms - combining Auld Lang Syne and the final scenes of my favourite show was a raw emotional - but utterly brilliant experience - for me. It's just so absolutely beautiful, and perfectly suited to the team, and their goodbyes!! Breathtaking editing work here, too.

This Daisy as Peter Parker and May as Tony Stark moodboard by @agentsofcomedyandchaos - ahhhh, a crossover of two of my favourite fandoms!! And what a lovely one, too - the colour scheme, quotes, and just the whole FEEL of this is absolutely genius, and I am guilty of being inspired by way too many fic ideas by it. Stunning stuff!!

And... whoa, that was long, but I really do feel that we deserve a bit of a proper pat on the back after creating such magical content in such a messed up year. So that's the note I'm going to leave you with for 2020, my friends: hell-year or no, look at the absolute beauty we were still able to create!! We really are freaking amazing, guys.

[hermannsthumb]

first frost and cosy night in? :3

30. First Frost + 33. Cozy Night In

from autumn fic prompts here

here’s a quick lil penpal era fic before class!

--------------------

Newt’s used to hard winters at this point, and winters that come early, and winters that send him searching desperately for the most high-grade space heater available on the market (his heating is always busted, always), but he thinks the universe is feeling a certain kind of sadistic today, because the instant he steps out onto the tiny patch of grass that’s technically his front lawn, it’s to feel a loud crunch. Not the charming crunch of dead leaves either, which is what’s to be expected for pleasant autumn’s been; it’s the unmistakable crunch of frost. Early frost. The first frost. Newt looks down at his docs with a sigh. “Not fair,” he groans. He lifts one up, then back down on the white-tinged grass. Crunch. 

The wind is on the uncomfortable side of chilly, too, more than Newt’s trusty sweatshirt is willing to endure, and he shivers as a gust of it kicks up a pile of leaves and sends them tumbling past him. It’s the kind of wind he associates with the cold, dark days of late November—way too premature for October. He’s so not looking forward to walking the whole twenty minutes to campus in this. He’ll need a scarf, at the very least. And maybe a stop for coffee. Definitely a stop for coffee.

He shoots off a quick email to his class as—scarf his uncle knitted him wrapped freshly around his neck—he makes a jog for the nearest Dunkin: Running late! Feel free to use time to discuss questions about the midterm w/ each other, will answer when I get there -Dr. G. Then he picks them up a dozen donuts to make up for it, too, because he’s just that a great of a professor.

The donuts are a hit, and the resulting combination group sugar rush and sentiments of good will makes for one of their most spirited class discussions of the semester. Newt fields questions left and right, develops a cramp in his hand from needing to scrawl so fast across the whiteboard, and dishes out no less than twenty total points of extra credit. He gets so into it, in fact, he forgets about how much he’s dreading to walk the twenty minutes back home in the cold, cold wind. Almost, anyway. He lets class drag on just a little over the ending time, and is relieved when a handful of students stay behind to ask just a few more questions about midterm submission guidelines. He lets that drag on, too, and it’s not until the eleven AM environmental science class that uses the room after him begin peeping their heads around the doorframe and clearing their throats that he’s forced out.

Out into the cold.

He goes straight for his living room couch after a brisk walk back to his place, diving beneath his pile of throw blankets and pillows and cranking the little knob on his space heater up to ten. It’s really not that cold compared to what’s to come in January, but it’s still too fucking early for it, damn it. Unseasonable! Newt deserves to enjoy a little mild autumn weather before the winter.

“It’s just unseasonable,” he gripes to his cat, who’s curled itself up lazily in front of the space heater in a blink of an eye. It doesn’t even look at Newt. It’s not fair, really, that it got to stay home all day and Newt didn’t. Or that it’s soaking up all the heat before any of it can reach Newt. “You don’t know how good you’ve got it,” he tells it. 

His phone buzzes.

His spirits do an immediate one-eighty: it’s an email from Hermann. Suddenly, staying in for the rest of the evening doesn’t seem so bad. Desirable, even.

So (Newt rushes to grab his laptop) he has a little bit of a crush on his mysterious penpal. So (he quickly lights a few candles he has spread out across the living room) maybe it’s actually more like he’s a little bit in love with his mysterious penpal So (he dims the lights) emails from Hermann are the highlight of his day. Or (he fixes himself a little mug of tea) maybe more like year. It’s normal. It’s normal to have friends, and crushes, and penpals, and penpals who are your only friend and maybe also your crush. It’s all totally normal!

He explains all this to his cat, who is very uninterested, but who hops up onto Newt’s legs the instant Newt curls back underneath his throw blanket, which Newt takes as a sign of affection if nothing else. He holds his breath as he opens Hermann’s email, ignoring the stupid butterflies in his stomach. It’s normal.

Dear Newton-

I apologize for my rather belated, and rather short, response; Father has me working day and night on updating the coding for our newest jaegers, and this is the first moment I’ve managed to steal for myself in well over a week. I appreciate your design inputs, though I must--once again--remind you that built-in Bluetooth speakers are impractical, useless, and unnecessarily costly, and that between us two, only one of us has pioneered the jaeger tech field. In more personal matters...

Newt pets his cat as he reads on, a little smile blooming over his face. Hermann bought a sweater; Hermann switched tea brands out of rationing necessity, and found he likes the new one better; Hermann’s article was accepted into the next edition of a Jaeger Science journal he's obsessed with, and he wants Newt to glance over it one last time for any final edits. (That’s attached to the email, as is a very poorly-lit and very blurry mirror selfie of Hermann looking grumpy in his new sweater. Adorable.)

As always, Newton, I appreciate your correspondence.

Sincerely, Dr. Hermann Gottlieb.

It’s how he always finishes. It’s also kind of adorable, to be honest--three years of writing to each other, and he still signs off like they’re total strangers, and like they don’t send each other birthday cards and Hanukkah presents every damn year. “Adorable,” Newt says, and shakes his head. He scratches his cat behind the ears, and it purrs happily.

Hermann (he writes back)-

I notice you didn’t say anything about the totally cool and totally practical laser-beam eyes idea I had too. Does that mean you’re using it? Don’t forget to credit me.

I’m sorry you’re overworked. I don’t think I know anyone who needs a break or a little bit of fun more than you. I wish I could...

What Newt wishes is that Hermann was relaxing here with him: he wishes Hermann was curled up under his throw blanket, with Newt’s cat purring on both of them, and Hermann’s arm around Newt, and that he had a mug of tea, too, and Newt could read over his article out loud while they huddled over his laptop, and Hermann would be so impressed with how smart his edits were that he’d say something like well done, Newton! and then he’d... Well. Newt backspaces over the paragraph. Too much.

I wish I could help, he says. Lame, but whatever.

He writes (about the cold, about his classes, about the kaiju sample he’s finally managed to get the funding to afford) until the sun sets outside his window, and one of his candles finally burns down to the wick and flares out with a sputter of smoke. Newt’s cat begins to knead at his chest in the way that means I’m hungry, feed me dinner. “Alright, alright,” Newt tells it, because he’s feeling pretty hungry himself. He glances over the email one last time to make sure he doesn't sound pathetically lovesick before signing off with a -Newt and sending it.

He feeds his cat and fixes himself a little bowl of soup to eat on the couch. It’s turned into a pretty nice night, actually. Cozy. Comfortable. He can’t stop smiling. Maybe he’s a little bit in love with Hermann, so sue him.

[bronanlynch]

bi-weekly life update time

have these past two weeks been good? not really! did I consume any media worth talking about in them? some!

listening: in honor of the Partizan post-mortem, I’ve been listening to the Partizan soundtrack so let’s talk about what an absolute fucking banger RADIOSTATIC. HIATUS. REDSKY. is. like the whole soundtrack is amazing but this one’s iconic. ominous and eerie and evil, just like the character who shows up while it’s playing

reading: mostly fanfiction tbh. I bounced off of The Longest Night by E.E. Ottoman (historical romance) despite being really excited to read it (how many t4t m/m romance novels exist? not many) because, and I mean this as respectfully as possible, it was very clear to me that it needed just one more read-through by an editor before it was published and the typos were too distracting for me to just keep reading. I’ll probably finish it eventually but not right now

favorite things I’ve read recently are my friend's extremely fun Dishonored fic about Billie and the Outsider being roommates and this incredibly cool epistolary/archival materials fic about the legacy of Sokrates from Counter/Weight written by one of my twitter mutuals for the Secret Samol exchange event

watching: more Supernatural. look, I’m unemployed and depressed, do you expect me to watch good television?

however, season 12 is uh. really bad. it’s close to being interesting sometimes, with the Mary coming back to life stuff, and damn they really turned up the queerbaiting in any episode that Cas is in (this is the season with “I love you” [shot of Dean’s face] “I love all of you”) but the British Men of Letters storyline is. well. they want to teach American hunters how to do a more efficient genocide, and yeah, they are the villains but not because of that, somehow. Sam & Dean dislike them because they have gadgets and bureaucracy and that offends their sense of American individualistic masculinity, and because one of them went rogue and tortured Sam at the beginning of the season, not because it’s absolutely horrific and evil to propose murdering every single ““monster”“ in the entire country after it’s been shown again and again that ““monsters”“ are people. also, even more fucked up considering that sometimes the beings referred to as monsters are sacred to indigenous cultures. if the BMoL were the villains because the narrative framed their goals and actions as abhorrent, that would be one thing but that’s super not how it’s framed. some guy gives a powerpoint presentation about how they’ve systematically murdered every vampire in the entire northern midwest/plains region and no one ever stops to be like “wow are we sure this is a morally ok thing to do” and at the end of that episode Sam decides that he wants to join them after all. you really do hate to see it. shout out to my roommate for very patiently letting me message them about all of the horrible nonsense that happens in this hot mess of a show.

playing: Knife of Dunwall, still. got into the Legal District finally and then had a very difficult time trying to get through Timsch’s house because he has So Many guards and servants holy shit. favorite glitch is when I shot the maid in the basement with a sleep dart and she said “oh no” and froze but didn’t fall over unconscious like she’s, y’know, supposed to when you get hit in the head with a sleep dart and you don’t know anyone is around. so I assumed she was unconscious but just didn’t fall because the game glitched but no! when I got closer she started yelling at me and I had to reload and go back and try again

making: finally doing more work on that cosplay project that I’ve been vaguely noodling away at since like June or whatever. (listen it’s very hard for me to motivate myself without a deadline and who knows when cons will come back. and it’s not even like this is an outfit I can wear around the house, it’s entirely white and we have a black cat who sheds a lot) I finally have all of the jacket mock-up pieces cut down to the right size (hopefully) except the sleeves, which means I can start sewing the mock-up 2.0 together. and worry about the sleeves later, because fuck the sleeves. I have accepted that they’re gonna be kinda messy when I sew them on, even on the real jacket, but luckily epaulettes can be used to cover many fabric crimes (EDIT: forgot that I didn’t even seam rip the bottom half of the jacket so I’ll need to do that and then I’ll need to do math so that I take away the same amount from the bottom half as I did from the top half. so I’m less far along than I thought I was. oops)

no pictures because there’s nothing to look at yet, so instead here’s Lilac, sitting on the blanket-cloak my roommate made me as an early birthday present. they thought they were making something to keep me warm, but turns out Lilac likes sitting on it more than she likes sitting behind me in my chair, so actually my roommate got me the gift of back support

writing: posted two things that had deadlines last week that I’m pretty proud of: my gift for Secret Samol about Milli & Broun becoming friends, and the fic I’ve been working on since the summer for a Persona 5 big bang which is like, part fix-it fic and part opportunity for me to be self-indulgent and pretentious. no idea what my next project is gonna be, which is kinda nice actually, to not have any deadlines looming other than uh. the important paperwork kind of deadlines lol

[laceymorganwrites]

birthday fic <33

A/N: this is a birthday fic for lovely @miyaniacs!! I hope you have a wonderful day today and are celebrated just like you deserve!

Word count: 1,970

Pairings: Gojo x Bea, Getou x me (I couldn´t help myself ehehhe), no tags since it´s just for you anyway <33

Another A/N: okay ever since we had that talk about Gojo being an embarrassing boyfriend and double dates...I just HAD to (tho I wish I could´ve executed those ideas better also the ending sucked cause I literally had no idea how to end it, BUT I still hope you can somewhat enjoy it <3333)

YOU´RE AMAZING; THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIEND; I CAN´T WAIT TO MEET YOU!!!

It was still early, the sun just rose, painting the sky a beautiful rose gold.

Getou was already up, he enjoyed the silence of the early morning.

Everything seemed to be at peace in those moments, no matter how little they lasted.

It didn´t matter to him anymore, he was at ease with Ace next to him.

His boyfriend´s presence calmed him down immediately and somehow the small boy always knew how to put a smile on his face.

They were like two popcorn kernels in a pot, nobody ever had any expectations for them but still they managed to exceed them, working harder than most people would recognize.

Working on yourself was always harder than it should be, but it was work that needed to be done.

Gojo was really proud of him for doing so, being afraid of what would happen to his friend if he didn´t.

Ace arrived at just the right time to give him the light he wanted to shut out of his life so bad.

Getou was glad he didn´t.

He found his missing puzzle piece and he´d never let it go, he had sworn to protect him at all costs.

The man stretched a bit before slowly getting up, careful not to wake the sleeping figure next to him.

It was routine at this point. But he liked it. Both men needed structure and routines in their life to be able to function. Even though they got better at being spontaneous, it was still hard to do overall.

Getou and Ace had the same sleeping pattern, preferring to go to sleep early and having the most energy in the early afternoon.

They also both had trouble sleeping, always waking up after a few hours and being unable to go back to sleep. It was easier now though, it was nice to know that there were always arms ready to hold. It was nice having someone there when you went to sleep and woke back up, it was the warm touch that was missing in both lives.

Getou prepared some coffee for himself and already cooked some breakfast. Meanwhile he was updating their grocery list and checking if anything else needed to be done.

Today was a big day, it was Bea´s birthday and Ace was beyond excited. It had been a while since they had last seen her and Gojo.

To be fair, Getou always tried to avoid double dates since Gojo could be quite exhausting.

After a while Ace slowly woke up, groggily sitting up in bed and yawning and stretching thoroughly.

“Good morning, love” he smiled from the kitchen counter as Ace slowly dragged himself to sit next to him, laying his head on his shoulder. “Morning, baby” he mumbled tiredly and slowly started eating his breakfast and drinking his tea.

Getou had helped him wrap his presents for Bea just yesterday since Ace´s wrapping skills were quite underwhelming to say the least.

The two talked for a bit and once they finished eating, they started cleaning the apartment, getting groceries and everything else they needed.

After a while they were done and just enjoyed the last few quiet minutes before the other couple would arrive.

The morning routine in the Gojo residence looked quite differently.

First of all, Gojo didn´t have a residence, he just liked calling his apartment that since there would be no way in hell a sorcerer of his caliber would live in an apartment building with others, normal citizens nonetheless.

However sorcerers didn´t get paid that well, no matter whether or not they had the six eyes. Gojo always had the little conspiracy that the elders cut his paycheck extra short.

And somehow he got off on it, he´d prove them all wrong anyway. He didn´t need them, he didn´t need anyone.

Only that the last one was a blatant lie.

He didn´t know he needed anyone until Bea came into his life.

She was quite something, so beautiful, made him laugh like no one else ever did. With her he didn´t have to hide anything, he could be himself.

And more than that: he could finally find out who that even was, he had time to think about those things now and not push everything aside like he did usually.

No, he wasn´t perfect like everyone thought, like he told everyone so that they´d leave him alone.

He was just a man.

A damn lucky one at that, being able to have her by his side.

Bea was new to the sorcerer world, but she had great potential, he took it upon himself to train her, though it really was just an excuse to get to know her.

She had her own issues, he could tell. But he wasn´t an asshole to pry on them.

Instead he asked her out immediately, because yes, he was one to rush things, following his heart.

To this day he asked himself why she said yes.

Somehow they got along incredibly well, so well in fact that he got to take her home.

Gojo never believed in falling in love but she just made it way too easy.

But it scared him, he never had been in love, not this way at least, never truly.

It was always a game to him, someone he´d hook up with and then never see again.

It was fun while it lasted and then left a burning, aching hole inside his heart that was just too sad to look at so he drowned himself in alcohol and did it all over again.

Bea was the first one he went on multiple dates with, the first one he tried to be a decent human being with.

Since both didn´t want a relationship in the beginning, both being too scared of rejection and hurting, they didn´t put a label on it.

They just fucked, went out, sometimes she stayed over at his place, that was nice. And sometimes she´d even laugh at his dumb jokes, that was even nicer.

Nice wasn´t the word to describe her though.

It was so much more than that, an incredible kindness and warmth that he only felt with her.

She made him feel special in a different way than all the others did and for the first time in his life he believed it.

Gojo wanted to make her feel the same way too and so he tried really hard, he tried to come up with exciting date ideas, take her to places she´s never seen before and show off like he always did.

But he always had this hopeful look in his eyes that she really saw what cool thing he did (which in reality was just dumb, but in his world it was cool).

And she gave him compliments.

Damn, did he love them.

He knew he was somewhat attractive but despite showing off he never really paid much mind to it.

But when the two of them were alone in bed, her tracing her fingers all over his body, those irresistible eyes looking down on him, that damn smile as she told him: “You´re so fucking beautiful, do you even know that?”.

“Right back at you” he´d grin, averting all of his attention to her so she wouldn´t comment on the fact that he was blushing.

They had quite the different relationship (once they finally admitted their feelings and called it that, so far everything went more than just perfect) than Getou and Ace, theirs was more fun, Gojo said.

Bea and Gojo always had the most fun, they always teased each other and could laugh a lot, as well as tell each other their darkest secrets without being judged.

“This isn´t a competition, you know?” Getou commented on that, but Gojo just grinned, to him it always was. And he always won.

He thought that Getou should be more grateful, after all he hooked him up with his boyfriend.

Gojo didn´t like Ace. He was so quiet. He didn´t like that about people.

However when Bea was around it was like he bloomed, suddenly he wouldn´t stop talking.

And that was annoying too.

Which is why Gojo always wanted to avoid meeting him.

But for her birthday he´d try to get along with him. For her.

The two of them had been on a mission yesterday and slept in now since they got home pretty late.

They somehow always woke up at the same time though which was more than just convenient. Gojo was mesmerized at how cute and pretty she looked even in the morning, he himself of course always looked dashing.

“Good morning, birthday bunny” he grinned, kissing Bea lazily but still taking her breath away.

“Why bunny?” she laughed, Gojo would always give her some cute nicknames that were quite random at times, but she never got used to it.

It was weird, having this affection without any intentions, just because he loved her.

“It fit” he grinned, he would embarrass himself in front of her a thousand times if it meant seeing her smile for only one instance.

She shook her head giggling and buried her head in his chest, his warmth was so comforting to her, she never wanted to get up.

“By the way… wanna have your first present?” he smirked, hands wandering down to her hips as he leaned closer to her to give her some neck kisses.

“Let´s wake up the neighbors, shall we?” he husked.

Meanwhile Ace was checking if the cake was already cold enough to decorate, which to his luck it was.

Ever since meeting Getou he baked more, they also baked together a lot.

Decorating wasn´t his forte, but Getou helped with that, he had steady hands and a good eye for those things.

“You know, wrapping a plushie isn´t as easy as I thought it would be” he laughed slightly. Ace loved his laugh, he was one of the few people who ever heard the real one.

“I´m sure you did great” he grinned and stood on his tiptoes to give him a quick peck.

Indeed the presents looked amazing, Getou even put on a little bow on the wrapping paper. Ace got Bea some manga volumes, a plushie and some other merch he hoped she´d like.

Now it was time to wait.

An hour later the other couple finally arrived.

“Sorry we´re late, we had important adult stuff to do, you two wouldn´t understand” Gojo announced grinning as he entered your apartment.

“Satoru! Shut up” Bea blushed and playfully punched his shoulder.

Getou just sighed and shook his head, why was he like this?

“Happy birthday, Bea!” Ace rapidly stood up from the couch and greeted her with a hug.

He gave her her presents and they talked about all sorts of things while their partners were in the kitchen to slice the cake and prepare the plates.

“I don´t want to hear it” Getou sighed. “Huh? I haven´t even said anything!” Gojo pouted, albeit feeling caught. Of course he was going to taunt his friend about his relationship, he of course never spared enough details to hurt anymore, but just enough to make everyone just a tad bit uncomfortable with embarrassment.

He couldn´t help himself, he had the best girlfriend in the world and everyone should know it.

The rest of the day wasn´t anything special, after all in the current situation you couldn´t do much.

But still, it was nice to meet up with friends, eat cake and have nice conversations.

They all ended up on the couch watching some movies and being too full to order proper takeout.

Though that was the fun in it, Bea was happy, she wasn´t alone like Ace feared, that was all that mattered.

He hoped her next birthday would be more eventful.

[kalboykiyay]

At Ease

So, I wrote this as a birthday present to myself. I don’t remember half of what I typed and as per usual, I didn’t check for grammar or spelling errors. I’m pretty sure that this fic falls into the Sharp Cheddar Gang because I refuse to give up my romance.

A couple of things to mention, as with all of the pre-Warriors fics, I must mention that this takes place before Cowboy gets his Stetson (Jeez, I should probably organise these fics chronologically, huh?) and I headcanon his pre-Cowboy name to be Harris. Also, the character Adelay doesn’t speak, so she communicates mostly in ASL, and I’ve done my best to italicise her dialogue. though, I hope you enjoy this and constructive criticism is appreciated.

If there was one thing Harris knew about A.J., it was how easily she flustered whenever she was uncomfortable, or startled, or embarrassed, and that didn’t take much. Adelay gave her a light-hearted hug last week, and her face immediately turned bright red. Of all of the members of their friend group, she seemed most comfortable with Adelay, having known her in middle school, but there wasn’t much difference in how she acted toward her overall. He couldn’t tell if she despised affection or if she just didn’t like being touched. She was nice enough to everyone, but it was obvious she still felt outta place within the group, despite them all having been friends for the better part of a year at this point. 

So, it came as a surprise to him when she agreed to go to the festival they were having at the beach that Saturday.

“I have nothing to do on Saturday, so sure why not? I’d love to go. Of course, I would have to ask Nikola, but I’m sure he’d be alright with it.” She was distracted by something, so she didn’t catch his surprised expression.

“Alright. Cool. We’re all meeting up at Juka’s house that afternoon. Do you know how to get there?”

“Yep. It’s on the way to my house actually.” She grabbed her bag off the table. “I’ll see you then.”

“Yeah, see you then.” He said, watching her walk out the door, suppressing his urge to smile. 

 -----

“You sure she’s actually gonna show? I’m still surprised she actually agreed to comin’ today.” Noah said as he flopped down on the couch and put his feet up, before opening up a bag of chips.

“I hope she wouldn’t bail. She doesn’t seem the type,” Harris said. “It seems like she might at least let someone know unless it was an emergency or she couldn’t reach them.”

“I’m pretty sure she would say something,” Juka said walking back into the room. “Noah, get your feet off the couch!”

Noah moved his feet back onto the floor. “Alright, don’t kill me,” 

There was a knock at the door which Juka went to answer. Noah put his feet back up out of spite. “You get my feet of the stupid couch.” He mumbled under his breath, causing him and Harris to burst out laughing. 

He put them back down when she started walking back, A.J. and Adelay in tow. “We can leave in a moment, I just realised that I don’t have any flowers, I’m gonna grab some,” She said before turning back to Noah. “Don’t put your feet back on my couch.”

“Juke, I’m hurt that you think I would do such a thing! You’ve got nothing to worry about!” 

“Yuh huh.” She headed upstairs and the moment she was gone, he put his feet back up for a moment, causing A.J. to laugh slightly. 

“You’re gonna get yourself into some serious trouble!” She told him. 

 “Nah, she don’t mean it. She don’t care as much as she acts like.”

“I get the feeling she’ll kill you just because she can,” Adelay signed, “I mean, she’ll say it’s because your feet are on the couch, but this stems deeper than that.”

Noah was about to reply when Juka walked back in the room. “Let’s go, children.”

“Yes, Mom.” Adelay got up off the floor immediately. “Finally, we can leave since Juka started moving her ass.” 

“Hey, I saw that!” Juka called out as Adelay went outside, the rest of the group following.

-----

The walk to the beach went by quickly; everyone making conversation on the way. 

“Hey, A.J. You ever been here before?” Noah asked her.

“To the beach?”

“To the festival.”

“Eh... Nikola used to take me when I was younger, but I haven’t been in years.”

“Any real reason?” 

“He works a lot these days, so we don’t go much anymore. Plus, I rarely have time to go, because of my schedule.” She shrugged. “This is the first time I’ve been able to go in years. Do you all go a lot?” 

“My parents usually take me and Harris, or sometimes his dad will take us, but my parents are out of town, and I think his dad is workin’,” Juka explained, to which Harris nodded.

The beach was pretty crowded, so they knew that the lines to get food would be very long. There were people and tents everywhere, if there were any more people, someone could easily get lost in the crowd. “It’s way more crowded than it usually is… I think there was half this amount last year and the year before.” Harris looked around at the crowd, “You can barely see the sand anywhere.”

“Yeah, it’s almost annoying. Though I did hear a lot of the other kids at school mention that they were going, so it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s just a bunch of high school kids here... I want some caramel corn. Anybody willing to walk over to the stand that sells it with me?” Adelay queried, moving out of the way of an oncoming group of kids. 

“Yeah sure, I’ll go.” Harris said.

“Do you think they’ll sell kettle corn?” A.J. asked, her voice quiet, though it was likely because it was already so loud at the beach.

He thought for a moment. “I don’t see why they wouldn’t. Come on. Juka? Noah? You two comin’?” He asked, looking back at the pair.

“No thanks. Be careful not to get lost!” Juka told them.

“I’m gonna hang back too,” Noah agreed as the three walked off to find the stand.

The three made their way through the crowd, not seeing the popcorn stand anywhere. “You sure it’s this way, Elle?” Harris questioned with a raised brow. “I can’t see over anybody.” 

Adelay gave him a shrug in response.

“Did you see it, A.J.?” Harris turned to look at her, or at least turned to look at where she was before. “A.J.?” He looked around him but she was nowhere to be found, “Oh, shit. Elle, we lost A.J.!” 

Adelay looked at him before looking around. "That's not good. Come on." 

The two walked through the crowd, Adelay grabbing his hand so that they wouldn't get separated. They searched everywhere, behind the tents, near the stage the band was using, and around the restrooms. Their clothes and faces were covered in sweat. Adelay said she needed to go to the restroom anyhow, so  Harris waited for her.

Harris found himself getting frustrated with the ordeal. Anything could've happened to her. We didn't even notice she was gone. What if she got trampled by the crowd or something?" He pushed that thought from his mind. He wasn't fond of the idea that she had gotten herself hurt, or any of the people he cared about getting hurt for that matter. Then, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He turned to it, and sure enough, it was a smaller person wearing a maroon Cordovan hat.

"A.J.!" He tried waving to get her attention. A.J. turned around upon hearing her name, trying to navigate the crowd. When she turned, Harris let out a sigh of relief. Once she got closer, it was apparent that she had found the popcorn stand, carrying two bags of kettle corn and one bag of caramel corn.

"Where did you guys go? I told you where the stand was! It wasn't-" Before she could finish her sentence, Harris gave her a tight hug, almost without thinking. She froze, shocked for a moment before trying her best to hug him back. The back of his head touched her face and she knew her face would start turning red any moment. Despite this she felt comfortable in the embrace in a way she couldn’t put into words if she tried. The pair released each other; her face now slightly reddened, though it was more prominent on the cheek that his head had touched. Adelay walked out a moment later.

“A.J.! Where were you? You know how worried we were about you?”

 A.J. simply handed the caramel corn to her. "I bought you this."

"How much did this cost?" Adelay wondered, looking at the bag.

"Don't worry about it. Consider it a gift." A.J. smiled.

"What's the second bag for?" Harris asked.

"This is for Nikola. He loves kettle corn a lot. The first bag is for everyone here, so you're welcome to have some."

The three returned to the table; Juka and Noah not noticing them return. “Damn, how long was that line?” Noah looked at them with a confused expression. 

“It wasn’t that long, surprisingly, not that these two would have any idea,” A.J. said with an amused look. “They got lost. I bought three bags of popcorn, because if you buy two, they give  you a third one for half the price, so I got one for Nik!” She said holding up her bags with a bright smile.

“I specifically told you all not to get lost!” Juka gave them a look. 

“We didn’t get lost. We lost A.J.!” Harris responded. 

“Well, I wasn’t lost. I actually found what we were looking for.” She looked at him, shaking her bags to prove her point.

Juka chuckled softly. “Yeah, alright. Let’s hurry up and see if we can’t get a good spot. I kinda actually want to go watch them perform.” She stood up. ”Can I have some of that caramel corn?” 

Adelay opened her bag and allowed Juka to take a small handful out. The group then headed over to the area where the band was performing as the evening sky set in. Noah kept stopping to buy snacks along the way.

“This thing comes around once a year, and I like festival snacks, so I’m buying everything and you can’t stop me.” he said, stuffing another candy box into his backpack. There’s something missing though…” He looked around before he found the tent he was looking for, “Oooh… Hey, I’ll catch up with ya later, bye!” 

“Wh- Noah?!” Juka called after him. “Only this kid! I get the feeling he needs to be supervised.”  

“Nah, he’ll be fine! Let’s go.” Harris turned back to the area where the band would be performing, the other three following behind.

They stood watching the band perform an upbeat song, everyone around moving their feet or waving their hands and generally having a good time. Even A.J. seemed to be getting into it, her hand on her hat to keep it from falling off as she danced with Adelay she shook the bags of kettle corn with the other. 

Juka and Harris laughed at her energy. Harris leaned over to her, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that’s a totally different person from the person who showed up with us. Maybe we still haven’t found her yet.” 

“Maybe, her voice does seem a bit deeper than earlier!” Juka shot back as Noah walked up with an ice cream cone. “Found you and it was definitely worth it to go back. I have ice cream.”

Juka looked at him incredulously, “You found an ice cream stand and didn’t say anything? Take me to it! Please.”

Noah feigned annoyance. “Alright alright! Harris, you comin’?”

“Yeah, I’m down for some ice cream.”

“Elle! A.J.! You guys want to go get some ice cream?” The two in question turned to the trio.

Adelay’s face lit up. “Yes, always!” She ran up to the others in anticipation.

“No, thanks! I’ll watch the band and save our spot!” A.J replied, turning back to watch the band. 

“Alright, let’s move!” The other three laughed and started walking.

Harris looked back at A.J. briefly. She stood watching the performance, her right hand hanging onto her bags of kettle corn  “On second thought… I should stay… We probably shouldn’t leave anybody by themselves, right?”

“Oh, good point. I’ll bring you back a cone, You want chocolate-vanilla swirl, right?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Noah!” He said as he made his way back to where they’d left A.J. She’d been so busy watching the band, she hadn’t noticed that he’d come back. “Hey!”

She looked mildly surprised at his return, but she didn’t seem upset by it. “I thought you went with the others to get ice cream.”

“I changed my mind. Noah’s getting me some. I didn’t want to leave you by yourself.”

“I mean you could’ve. I wouldn’t have cared much.” She said, fixing her glasses.

“I’m assumin’ you don’t want the company then?”

“It’s not about that. The company is nice, and I’m grateful that I have it. I’m just used to not having it, so I’ve grown accustomed to not complaining about it, and I learned not to ask for it. It’s easiest to distance myself rather than constantly needing company.” She tilted her head slightly, as if in thought.

Harris didn’t have a response for that, but he didn’t like the empty feeling it gave him. He couldn’t imagine not being able to hang out with his friends, or just refusing to ask people to hang out. He couldn’t count how many times he’d call Juka to ask her to come over when they were younger, but for him to just not spend time with her... It sounded… lonely. He thought about what he could say next, then he found what he thought was the best response, but it could just as easily be the worst one if the implication upset her. “Well, I can’t speak for the others because they’re usually pretty busy, but I wouldn’t mind if you called me up to go have fun sometimes.”

She looked at him for the first time in their conversation, a bit taken aback. “I’d be on board with that.” Despite her initial expression, Harris didn’t miss the way her face lit up afterward. She looked back at the band.

Harris noticed it then. She wasn’t flushing. In fact, her face was pale as ever, not even showing any signs that she could be the least bit uneasy.

‘Well, I don’t only turn red when I’m flustered or uncomfortable. I have sensitive skin, it turns red at anything touching it. Plus, I’m fairly pale, so naturally I’m more prone to getting red skin pretty easily.” He must’ve had a confused expression because she clarified. “You said that aloud.” To which he gave a hum of satisfaction. Thinking about it, when they stopped hugging earlier, her face was slightly redder on one side than the other. He hadn’t paid much mind to it though.

“Not sure why I’d be flustered though. I don’t feel uncomfortable around you. If anything, I feel more comfortable with you and Adelay than most people. You’re easy to talk to and your naturally relaxed and cheerful demeanour makes you a fun person to be around. It’s relaxing; it’s like… letting go of tension I didn’t know I had.” 

Harris turned away from her, feeling his own face start to heat up. He didn’t know what he expected her to say, but he certainly knew that it wasn’t that. He couldn’t come up with a response, but A.J. didn’t seem to mind and he was grateful that she didn’t notice his face turning red, or maybe she just didn’t care. After his face returned to normal he looked at the band again, enjoying the comfortable silence that listening to the music brought. He felt a slight warmth near his right hand, looking down and noticing that A.J.’s hand was close to his own. He couldn’t tell if she moved her hand closer on purpose or not, but he didn’t know if he wanted to question it. He grabbed her hand gently, causing her to look down at it, before interlocking their fingers in response and looking back up at the band. He’d taken her hand before, but it was different this time and both of them were aware of it. For all they knew, it could’ve been a reaction for the moment and they’d never speak of it again. Of course, neither of them wanted that to be the case.

-----

Juka, Noah, and Adelay were finally heading back to where Harris and A.J. were. “Man, everyone wants ice right now. Do people really eat ice cream at night?” Noah asked, taking a lick from his cone.

Juka looked at him, dumbfounded. “Noah, is that an actual question?”

“Yeah, why?”

Juka and Adelay shared a look. Trying to keep from bursting into laughter and just as Juka was about to explain, Noah realised.

“Oh, wait! That’s a stupid question! And now I don’t even remember what I was trying to ask!” He sighed as the two girls covered their mouths with their hands. “Anyways! I hope they’re doing okay.”

“I’m sure, they’re fine. I don’t think they’d get into too much-” Juka looked over, noticing where they were standing, immediately noticing their interlocked hands. “Trouble…” Noah and Adelay followed her gaze. 

“Huh. I wouldn’t have picked up on that.” Noah said, walking towards them. “Harris, I got your ice cream! Be careful, it started melting on the way here, sorry.” 

Harris and A.J. turned around; Harris taking the ice cream cone with a grateful smile.

Adelay walked up soon after, the four immediately making conversation.

Juka hung back a bit, shaking her head in amusement. “Lookin’ back, I really shoulda seen this comin’.” she laughed before joining the group.

[deermi]

Pink Roses | Part 4 (Final)

Summarry: Chanyeol was coming everyday with his pink hair and a bright smile. You didn’t even bother asking what he wanted because he always bought one type of flowers. And one day he didn’t.

Gnere: Fluff, angst if you squint

Warnings: literally one suggestive comment

AU: Florist

Pairing: Park Chanyeol x Reader

Word count: 4,5k~

Author’s note: I have a love-hate relationship with finishing a series, haha. And I will really miss cute Chanyeol and the lovely flowery vibe this fic has. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for staying and reading the whole series!

My phone started to ring on the other side of the room interrupting me softly humming to myself as I was watering the succulents standing next to the entrance to the florist. I took a quick glance at the counter from where the sound of the ringtone was coming and put the watering can on the floor. I swiped my hands into the apron I was wearing and quickly moved to the back of the store to check who was calling me.

I reached the counter and grabbed my phone in a swift motion. A smile appeared on my face immediately after I saw Chanyeol’s name showing on the screen. I ran my hand through my hair and quickly picked up.

“Hi.” I greeted him as cheerfully as I usually did 

I got really used to Chanyeol calling me everyday - sometimes he called me once, but usually it was at least twice. This routine of him dialing my phone number whenever he finished his lectures, or just at any other time of the day when he felt like doing so, became in a short notice something we both got used to. From time to time he called me with a bigger issue he wanted to talk about, but our talks were mostly chit-chats and him saying that he’s just ‘checking on me’. Actually almost every time he did that, he’d right away come to visit the florist, and after helping me close the shop he would walk me home. It was some kind of mini habit we shared together.

“Hi.” he answered with his, now so familiar, deep voice “I was wondering whether you’re free this evening? Baekhyun is inviting some of our friends over for his mini birthday meet up.”

“Are you sure that he wouldn’t mind if I came over?” my brows furrowed slightly at his words

It wasn’t like Baekhyun and I didn’t like each other or something like this. Actually, now that Chanyeol and I were spending much more time together, we got really used to the other’s presence and we began to get along well. The thing I was concerned about was that if it had been Baekhyun's party, he should’ve been the one suggesting that I come, and I didn’t want to intrude. What if he just wanted to spend time with his closest friends?

“Of course not.” Chanyeol reassured me “He told me to tell you to come over if you want and have some free time this evening.”

Another small smile appeared on my face.

“Well…” I let out a sigh of fake annoyance to tease him “Since I don’t have anything planned for today, I guess I’ll come.”

“Damn, I didn’t know you were such a busy person, Y/N.” his laugh from the other side of the phone filled my ears “It’s probably easier to schedule a meeting with the president than one with you.”

Him cracking another one of his jokes, to which I got so used to, made me laugh quietly and I could almost picture him smiling proudly in return as if he had been standing right in front of me. I had noticed that he had this habit of grinning after pulling off a good one-liner. It was this sort of satisfactory sign he was sending to himself unconsciously as a reward for cheering the other person up.

“Okay, but now seriously.” I leaned myself on the counter as I spoke “What time can I come?”

“Whenever you feel like it. You know you’re welcome at our place at any time.”

My visits to their apartment also became more frequent. I pooped in every now and then during the weekends when I didn’t have work, but most of the times it was Chanyeol coming to ‘The Twisted Tulip’. Usually he would help me with some chores I had to do at the shop when I was serving the customers, or when there was nobody else but us we would just sit behind the counter and chat. 

“I’m supposed to be closing the florist at five.” I said “But I think that I’ll go home after. You know, just to grab a snack, change and stuff. But I promise I’ll be quick.”

“Yeah, sure.” Chanyeol was never the type to put pressure on me or anybody else “Take your time. I’ll pick you up at six if you want.”

My heart skipped a bit at his proposition. 

“I’d love that.” the smile on my face was growing even wider with each passing second

“Great!” he exclaimed a little too excitedly, but by that time I was used to his unstoppable outbursts of enthusiasm at the smallest matters “See you later than!”

I answered him with a quick ‘bye’ and hung up. With a loud sigh I put my phone in between my palms. The breaths I was taking were so deep that probably if someone walked inside the florist they would’ve thought that I’m having an asthma attack or something of this kind. I remained leaned against the counter andey the scent of freshly cut flowers fill my nostrils.

My doubts about my own feelings towards Chanyeol started to run through my head. He was the kindest person I have ever met and he always made sure that I was smiling. And the fact that he was extremely good looking wasn’t helping at all. Chan was probably the only person in the whole world I could never say no to whenever he asked me for something. The problem was, that he didn’t really act like only a ‘friend’ with me. I had a feeling like the relationship we had was that one type of relationship in which you know that something’s going on between the two of you, but nobody wants to admit anything. Most probably because they’re scared of rejection or having simply misunderstood the other’s friendly actions. And I hated this weird stadium of our even weirder relationship with passion.

But perhaps all of those things were just what my imagination wanted me to see.

“Coming!” I shouted when I heard the sound of the doorbell coming from outside the kitchen. I put the empty mug that was filled with coffee just a few seconds before down on the counter and rushed to open the door.

The next moment Chanyeol was standing in front of me with the usual grin on his face. The colorful, flowery shirt he was wearing  and messed cotton candy hair made me feel like his smile was even brighter as he leaned against the frame and slowly scanned my body. 

“Ready?” he asked me playfully 

“Yeah, just let me grab my bag and we can go.” I turned around and started to walk to the small sofa where I had left my purse, but on my way I snapped my head back at him “I like your shirt by the way.”

“Thanks.” he looked down at the piece of clothing he was wearing “I knew you would like it.”

I grabbed my purse and swiftly hung it over my shoulder before facing Chanyeol again with my eyebrows raised.

“Because it has flowers on it?”

The boy just shrugged at me and moved so I could walk past him “That was supposed to be the main reason.”

We got out of my small apartment and I grabbed the keys out of the bag to close the doors behind us.

“You know that if something has flowers on it doesn’t mean I am going to instantly like it, right?” I teased him, still focused on putting the key in the lock and turning it around in a quick motion

“Yeah, but you own a florist and seem to like plants in general.” now Chanyeol was leaning on the wall right next to me

“A thing doesn’t need to have flowers on it to make me think that it’s at least decent.”

The keys landed back in my bag right next to my phone and my wallet with a muffled jingle.

“And what if I told you that I had put the shirt for you? Because I had thought you’d like it?” he raised his eyebrows at me playfully, but they almost completely disappeared under the fluffy locks falling down on his forehead “What would you say than?” 

We began walking towards the exit of the building and I felt his fingers gently brushing against mine with each move. For people watching from afar it would’ve looked like something accidental, but it wasn’t the first time Chanyeol did that. And despite the fact that I should’ve been at least somehow used to this kind of affection, there was no way I could’ve hidden the pink blush slowly spreading on my face from him. So I just looked down at myself pretending to be very occupied with the non existent folds on my dress.

“I would say that I really appreciate the fact that you consider my opinion important when it comes to your outfit choices.” my tone was steady, but it was extremely hard to keep it that way with the beating of my heart and the feeling of blood running to my cheeks “And I probably would also say ‘thank you’.”

He chuckled and opened the door for me The first thing I saw after exiting the block of flats was a black car parked in such a messy way, that there was not even a small chance somebody else but Chanyeol could’ve been sitting behind the steering wheel before.

“So the limousine has arrived.” the boy just hopped in front of me and presented the vehicle proudly

I shifted my weight and crossed my arms over my chest.

“I thought we would be taking the bus or a taxi. I didn’t know you had a car.” I said with a gentle shake of my head “And especially such an expensive car. Or just one looking like an expensive.”

Chanyeol walked up to it and held the passenger’s door open for me so I could take a seat inside.

“It is expensive, I can’t lie. But it’s not mine.” he declared as I sat down putting the bag on my knees “It’s Junmyeon’s. He told me I could use it to pick you up. So, no, I don’t have a car. The only thing I have is a driving license, but my parents told me they are not going to get me my own car after I bumped their into a fire hydrant the other day.”

I laughed trying to picture the scene he had just described in my head, when he closed the door and walked around to the other side to sit behind the steering wheel.

“Is Junmyeon that one friend you told me about?” I asked when he jumped into the seat next to me “The one who’s parents are growing money on trees in their garden?”

“Exactly.” he sent me a nod and started the engine while we both fastened our seatbelts “And putting the jokes aside, I’m almost sure that they really do own money trees.”

I sunk into the leather seat at his words.

“God, now I’m scared of meeting him.”

“I swear to you Junmyeon is normal.” Chanyeol’s eyes were focused on the road as he spoke “He’s not like one of those rich, spoiled kids you read about in books. And he’s definitely not the type to show off.”

I put my elbow next to the window and looked out of the it, watching the city passing us as we strolled down the streets.

“You’re lucky I trust you.” the sigh I let out was loud and deep 

For the next ten minutes of our ride we just chatted about random stuff that came up to our minds just like we usually did. Talking with Chanyeol came so easily for me - for some reason I felt like I’ve known him for much longer than I actually did. It was like I could tell him everything and I perfectly knew that he wouldn’t judge me regardless of what my word would be. Maybe it was his personality, his general attitude towards everything, and how effortlessly he was making other people smile, but it also might’ve been because of the feelings slowly boiling inside me. Every single day I had spent with Chan made them grow stronger and harder to get rid of.

I wasn’t exactly scared of them. Yes, having a crush can be overwhelming eventually, but it wasn’t quite my main concern at that time. The thing that worried me the most was how Chanyeol’s previous relationship had ended and how he had almost broken down in front of me after it had happened. Also I really didn’t want to ruin what we already had. I was torn apart between enjoying and getting slowly fed up with it.

“Y/N?” 

His voice made me snap out of my thoughts so I turned my head abruptly to face him.

“You keep spacing out more often these days.” he chuckled at the surprised expression on my face

“Sorry…” I mumbled, looking away “What did you say?”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s kinda cute when you do that.” his eyes were looking at everything but at me “Anyways, I said ‘let’s go’.

Only then I noticed that the car had stopped and I couldn’t hear the engine working anymore. Chanyeol parked the vehicle in the same messy way as he had done it before in front of the building I was living it and unbuckled his seatbelt. I quickly did the same thing and and we synchronically got out.

After walking inside the building and taking the elevator, we stood in front of the door I had become so familiar with in the past weeks.

Without any warning Chanyeol opened them and loudly announced startling both me and the rest of the people inside “We’re here!”

The soft, chill beat coming from a small speaker reached my ears and the smell of something sweet mixed with a hint of alcohol filled my nostrils. Baekhyun had been previously sitting on the couch, his arm lazily thrown over the shoulders of a black haired girl next to him, but swiftly got up to greet us. I looked around the apartment and noticed two more guys and one more girl. 

I felt a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach as I realized that the only person I only knew one more person expect Chanyeol inside here.

“I hope my car is still working and it won’t require taking it to the mechanic.” another boy walked out of the kitchen and handed both of us glasses filled with black liquid

“Yeah, yeah, nothing happened as I promised.” Chanyeol rolled his eyes “So, Y/N, this is Junmyeon the owner of the cool car.”

I smiled at him and shook his hand gently. Junmyeon was exactly like Chan had told me - completely normal without even a small touch of unnecessary fancy vibe coming from him.

“Okay, guys, this is Y/N.” my friend placed his free hand on the small of my back, pushed me smoothly further into the living room and started pointing at his friends, one after another, with his glass almost spilling the drink inside “This is Kyungsoo, Jongdae, Yoojin and Nayoung.”

My eyes darted from one of the guests to the other with the speed of light  as I tried to remember all the names and match them to the faces.

“Hi.” I sent them a small wave and awkwardly shifted my weight, unconsciously moving closer to Chanyeol whose hand didn’t leave my lower back for a second

We moved to take a seat on the couch, next to Baekhyun and the girl Chanyeol had introduced as Yoojin. My friend rested his arm on the usual spot, on top of the couch right behind my back, and I automatically leaned into him to the point our knees were touching. I took a sip of the drink Junmyeon had given us before and immediately felt the familiar sweet frizz of coke on my tongue along with the bitterness of whiskey. 

“Don’t act so shocked.” Chanyeol whispered into my ear with a small grin on his face when he noticed my furrowed eyebrows “Jun always provides that the drinks are the highest quality.”

“To be honest, after what you had told me, I should’ve been expecting it.” I murmured quietly so only the two of us could’ve heard it while looking at the liquid inside glass 

As time passed by and all of us sat in the living room together laughing and chatting casually, I learned that Chanyeol and Baekhyun’s friends were almost exactly like them - they were absolutely hilarious and treated me like we had known each other before. My previous doubts vanished as quickly as they had previously appeared.

“Y/N, you own a florist, right? Baek told me that.” Yoojin, who was sitting right next to me, turned her head in my direction 

“Yeah.” I nodded and put the now empty glass on the table next to Chanyeol’s “It’s the one near Chan and Baekhyun’s uni.”

“You mean ‘The Twisted Tulip’?” she asked me and when I sent her another nod, she broke into smile “I know exactly where it is. Baekhyun got me flowers from you for our third anniversary and they were all so pretty. I kept the for as long as it was possible.”

“I’m glad you liked them that much.” I mirrored her grin

“And how long the two of you have been together?” Jongdae pointed at me and Chanyeol with his chin putting me completely off “Since we’re talking about anniversaries and stuff.”

I felt Chanyeol stiffen in his place and remove his hand that he had previously placed on my thigh, as I shifted nervously next to him. His eyes landed on my figure for a brief second before he turned his head away from me, but I didn’t have enough courage to face him as well.

“Um…” he started and cleared his throat before continuing “It’s not-”

“We’re not dating.” I interrupted him suddenly, surprising everybody in the room including myself

My whole face was burning and I curled my fingers on the fabric of my dress nervously. For a moment I had a feeling like the beating of my heart along with my heavy breathing were the only sounds inside the apartament.

“Really?” Nayoung’s said with a shocked tone “You two seem extremely close. I actually also thought that you’re a thing.”

My body reacted on it’s own as I stood up and took a deep breath. With my shaky hand I grabbed the empty glass I had previously put on the coffee table in front of me “I’ll refill it and be right back.”

All eyes followed me as I stormed into the kitchen, leaving everybody in the living room dumbfounded. I took the half empty bottle of coke and poured the drink inside the glass, but I didn’t even bother taking a sip.

With everything almost boiling inside of me I placed both of my hands on the kitchen counter. I hated how freely Chanyeol had been acting with me on the couch. And I hadn’t even bothered stopping him. No, I had even responded to that and done almost the same thing. Perhaps I just wanted it to become something more than just friendly actions? Maybe I wanted us to stop beating around the bush and clear everything between us up? But what if he hadn’t felt the same need?

“Hey.” 

I jumped in my spot, almost spilling the drink in front of me, when I heard Chanyeol’s voice as he entered the kitchen.

“You looked like there was something bothering you when you stormed out like that.” he said and took a few steps closer to me “You okay?”

I wanted to shout at him. Scream that I wasn’t okay at all because I didn’t know if he wanted the same things I did. Because I hated the fact that I wasn’t sure who we were for each other. But I couldn’t do that. Not to Chanyeol. He was just too precious for me.

“Yeah.” my voice was barely a whisper 

I sent him a sad smile, perfectly knowing that he could’ve seen in my eyes that I wasn’t exactly fine. But he didn’t dig deeper into the topic. Instead he grabbed my palms and pulled me into his chest, his familiar scent hitting me. My arms instinctively wrapped around his waist, as his circled around my frame, and my hands began rubbing his back soothingly.

A few seconds ago, I had just wanted to scold him and scream at him for all of his actions. But now all I wanted was just to stay forever in his embrace, listen to his steady heartbeat, and forget about my feelings. Maybe we were just meant to stay the way we already were?

“Can I ask you something?” he asked me quietly 

I hummed in response, giving him a signal to continue.

“Does the thought of dating me scare you that much?”

I moved away from him just enough to look at him. My brows were furrowed because I wasn’t sure if I had heard his question correctly. But the pink blush dusting his cheeks and his eyes that were piercing into mine were enough evidence for me to know that I couldn’t have misheard it. I didn’t know wether it was my heartbeat that had sped up or his.

“No…” I murmured “Actually, it doesn’t scare me at all.”

“So why did you run away when they asked us about dating?”

I hid my face in his chest once more feeling the embarrassment and anxiety grow inside of me.

“I don’t know… I was just afraid it would turn out weirdly awkward if any of us had answered it.”

“Maybe it doesn’t have to be ‘weirdly awkward’ next time.” he suggested still holding me close, but I leaned back in his embrace connecting our eyes again “Maybe we could have an answer next time somebody asks us a question like that?”

For a few seconds I didn't respond because I wasn't sure if I was reading well enough between the lines to know what he meant.

“Maybe we could give it a chance? Give us a chance, I mean?” his voice was getting quieter with each word “Only if you want to though.”

“I…” I breathed out softly and smiling at him genuinely “I’d love that.”

Chanyeol stared at me in disbelief for a bit and let out a sigh of relief right after. I felt his chest slowly fall down. We just looking at each other for a moment with grins on both of our faces before breaking out into fits of laughter. Chanyeol placed his forehead on mine, holding me even closer to his frame and stared deeply into my eyes.

“I wanted to say that I really like you, but I guess it’s not the case.” his warm breath fanned my cheeks “Because I actually love you.”

I giggled at his words and said “I actually love you too.”

Catching me off guard, he dipped his head and captured his lips with mine. I quickly collected myself and responded to the kiss with my eyes closed as I let the feelings take control. His kisses were gentle as a feather and I could feel the taste of the drink we had before in them. Chanyeol’s lips moulded into mine perfectly as both of our bodies worked in synch. My hands moved up to his shoulders and I wrapped my arms around his neck. My fingers tangled in his pink locks and I felt him tilt his head slightly to deepen the kiss.

“Okay, it’s the second time I’m walking inside the kitchen when you two are here alone and next time I’ll just scream before I do it.”

Baekhyun’s annoyed tone made us quickly pull away from each other and immediately look at the floor with our cheeks flushed.

“I wanted to check what was taking you so long, but I guess I should’ve known better than to casually walk in.” he crossed his arms over his chest “Hand holding in the kitchen - fine, kissing in the kitchen - I can live with that. Just don’t go any further.”

My face started to burn even deeper shade of red at Baekhyun’s words, but the boy didn’t comment on anything else and just turned away to go back to the living room, leaving me alone with Chanyeol again.

Breaking the moment of silence I let out a short laugh and threw my head back. Chanyeol wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him again, both of us completely forgetting about Baekhyun and his comments.

“You know, I think I figured out what flower is my favourite now.” he said, his thumb rubbing small circles on my waistline

“Yeah?” I raised my eyebrows at him “What is it than?”

“Roses.” he announced “Especially pink.”

I hit his chest playfully.

“Hey, but that’s my favourite flower!”

“And you’re my favourite person in the world so it’s only natural that it’s my favourite flower too.”

His cheesy comment made me giggle in the spot as I leaned in to peck him on the lips once more. And one more time. And another one, letting the third kiss last for a little longer. Chanyeol’s hand cupped my cheek and he caressed the skin of my face with my thumb.

“I can accept that explanation.” I teased him after we pulled away reluctantly

The moment I had met him, I knew that he was somehow different from anybody else I had known throughout my whole life. Because actually Chanyeol and I were like pink roses - full of sweetness, joy and pure happiness. And I knew that we would stay like that for longer than forever.

[ahtohallan-calling]

chapter 13 of it’s always ourselves we find is here!

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[kristanna / m / modern au / coworkers & enemies to lovers ;) ]

“Kristoff.”

No reply.

“Kris.”

This time, a grunt of acknowledgement.

“Kris, honey…”

She’d had a feeling that would work. He shifted against her, nuzzling his nose against the top of her head. “What?”

“You gotta let me go.”

His arms only tightened around her waist. “Why?”

“Because I have to get up and shower.”

A heavy sigh escaped him; he pressed a soft, stubbly kiss to her temple and lifted his arm from where it had been draped over her. “Have fun,” he mumbled, turning over and burying his face in the pillow.

Fighting the urge to giggle, Anna tiptoed into the bathroom, not wanting him to miss out on any precious minutes of sleep he could get after he’d been up so late the night before. It was strange, she reflected, as she stepped into the shower, how one conversation had suddenly made so much of the last fourteen months make sense; why he always said no to going to any sort of after-work cocktail hour, even on his own birthday, and why he had been the only person not to sign up for the white elephant gift exchange-- and more than that, why he was so quiet, so reluctant to open up at all.

Except with me , she thought, a shiver rolling down her spine that had nothing to do with the pounding water; even before this week, she’d been the only one he talked to, and even if it was usually just bickering, that was a hell of a lot more than anyone else in the office got. And sometimes they had talked about real things; he knew about her parents and the car crash, and he knew about how much she’d worried over her cat when she’d first adopted him, and he’d listened and offered comfort, gruff though it was, every time she’d thought she’d finally fucked up enough to get fired.

And the M&Ms-- god, it was the most romantic thing that had ever happened to her, by far. How many packets had she gotten over the last year and a bit? And she’d shared them with him every time, and he’d never even let on that he’d liked her enough to do such a thing, let alone that he’d actually done it.

By the time she was done in the shower, she was itching to wrap her arms around him and kiss him as thoroughly as she could. She yanked on her underwear and dress as quickly as possible and, without even bothering to finish towel drying her hair, burst back into the main part of the room, only to come face to face with Kristoff sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing only his sweatpants and stretching his bare arms skyward. Her pace only stuttered for a moment at the sight, and then she was on him, laughing and climbing onto his lap as he let out a surprised cry and fell back against the bed.

“Good morning,” she said in between pressing sloppy kisses all over his face, still creased slightly from the pillowcase.

“You, too,” he said breathlessly, trying and failing to catch her lips with his own. “What’s this for?”

He set his hands on her waist, and the feel of his broad fingers pressing against her was finally enough to give her pause, long enough that he finally managed to lean up and steal a kiss. “Just because,” she said with a grin.

“Because what?” he teased, his eyes sparkling.

“Because I have a crush on you.”

That earned her another kiss, but one that came to an untimely end when he instinctively reached to slide a hand into her hair, and they both were reminded that it was still sopping wet. “Sorry,” Anna giggled, giving him one more peck on the cheek as he wrinkled his nose and shook his hand exaggeratedly. “Let me go take care of that.”

She blow-dried her hair quickly in the bathroom and swiped on a minimal layer of makeup before returning. She spared only a glance at her lipstick before smirking and setting it back down; she’d just wait and put that on after breakfast.

Kristoff was standing now, just shrugging into a gray and white striped button down. “Let me help,” Anna said as she crossed over to him.

“Believe it or not, I can dress myself,” he said drily, but when she took hold of his collar and tugged him down to kiss his cheek, a dazed smile appeared on his face.

“Think you’re ready for today?” Anna asked as she began working her way down the line of buttons, her hands lingering for a moment when they brushed against his broad chest.

“Not at all.”

“Why not?” He shrugged, and she playfully swatted at him. “Hold still!”

“Sorry. Just-- you know. Me. Talking. Other people. Bad combination.”

She had just reached the tail of his shirt; she paused for a moment before choosing the boldest of the options laid before her and unzipping his pants to tuck it in. A huff of surprise escaped him, but he made no move to stop her.

“Well,” she said, feeling her cheeks warm as she fastened his pants back and kept her eyes trained on his chest, making a show of brushing away invisible flaws, “I’m other people, and I like talking to you just fine, so see? Nothing to worry about.”

He caught her chin with a finger and tilted her face upwards until he could meet her gaze. Though his forehead was furrowed, his eyes were soft when he said, “It’s different when it’s you. You know that.”

“Hurry up and kiss me again so we can put our shoes on,” she breathed.

He didn’t, instead shifting his hand to press against her cheek, letting his thumb slide slowly back and forth over her freckled cheekbone. “You’re bossy as hell, you know that?”

“And you’re a tease,” she said, pouting, and he laughed before conceding to her wishes.

“It’ll be okay, Kris,” she murmured between soft, languid kisses. “Like I said last night, I’m gonna make sure this is the best presentation ever. You just stand there and look pretty.”

“I feel like I should be offended by that.”

“Fine. Stand there and say the stuff we practiced yesterday with Harry and look all ruggedly handsome.”

“ Ruggedly handsome ?”

She nipped playfully at his bottom lip. “Here I am, trying to be sweet to you for once, and you’re--”

He cut her off with another kiss, and this time when they pulled away, they were both too breathless for words.

---

The reassurances Anna had whispered to him that morning worked pretty well until the room started filling up enough that people were standing along the walls. Kristoff turned then to face her as she set up her laptop on the podium. “Anna,” he said as quietly as possible, “this is a fuckton of people.”

“Mhm. This is the only bit with mandatory attendance for everyone,” she said, not looking up from the screen.

“ Shit .”

“It’ll be fine, Kris. You did this yesterday for Harry, remember? And his opinion is the only one that really matters.”

“But if I fuck this up, then someone’ll tell him, and--”

She glanced up at him, her eyes soft. “You won’t fuck up. It’ll be fine, really. What was it that made yesterday so much easier? Can’t you just try that again?”

“Um,” he stammered, his face reddening. “Not exactly.”

“Why not?”

“It-- ah-- it was better yesterday because-- because it was just a video call. So I could...you know.”

“No, I don’t know. That’s why I asked.”

He sighed and went to run a hand through his hair before remembering how long they’d spent that morning on slicking it back. “It helped that I could...touch you. Just if I needed to steady myself and stuff, but today everyone will see.”

“Kristoff Bjorgman, you are the absolute sweetest man alive, you know that?” Anna said, and by the look in her eyes he knew she was wishing they could touch each other now, too.

“Yeah, well, don’t go around telling everybody. I’ve worked too hard on building my reputation around here.”

“Reputation as what? A grumpy bastard? Letting people know you have a softer side might have some benefits, you know,” she pointed out.

“I think those benefits are invalidated if I fuck up so bad today I get fired and never see them again,” he replied as the man introducing them tapped on the microphone.

In response, she darted a hand out and brushed her fingers over his where they rested against the podium, out of view of the crowd. “I’ve got you, Kris,” she promised. “I won’t let you down.”

And damn, if that didn’t make him feel a hell of a lot better.

He turned around to face the audience, not even trying to mimic Anna’s showstopper of a smile as she accepted the microphone and introduced their presentation to the crowd. Within moments, she had them eating out of the palm of her hand, laughing at her warm-up jokes about all the buzzwords the company had been introducing at the conference and hanging on to her every word even when she got into the statistics. She did such a good job that even when Kristoff stumbled over his explanation of how the new networking systems he’d put in place over the last year they still paid attention; he even saw Greg, sitting in the back row, raise his digital camera to take a picture of the screen-- flash on, of course.

And then, before he knew it, Anna was asking if there were any questions, and she answered most of them and gave him the rest, and then she was thanking the crowd and he was giving a terse nod and people were actually fucking clapping as if this was something they hadn’t been forced to sit through.

“Holy shit,” he whispered, and beside him, Anna stifled a laugh.

She gave him a quick wink. “Told you.”

---

quick note: i miscounted earlier in this fic and wrote that this was a 5 night thing, it is not it's 4 nights and so the coming night is the last and they come home tomorrow

also, two more chapters to go after this and we're done :)

[winryofresembool]

Things We Lost in the Fire, ch 2

Aka Caleo uni AU

Fic summary: Calypso starts studying at a new university, but to her annoyance her new flatmate is a loud mouthed mechanic who also likes to sneak his dog in whenever. But as she learns to know him better, she realizes they might have more in common than what she first thought. Eventually, even the darkest secrets come out...

Chapter summary: Leo visits his new family.

A/N: This chapter was a lot of fun to write because of Leo's pov! For those who may not have read The Dark Prophecy, Jo and Emmie basically adopt Leo and Calypso and Leo even says Jo reminds him of his mom at one point so I wanted to include that to this story! Also, to be clear about this, Leo still lives in the same town with them but wanted some independence once he started uni so he moved into a flat a year before the events of this story.

Thanks to Cris again for helping me out when I needed it the most! Now, please enjoy this chapter and remember that feedback would really be loved because otherwise it's hard to motivate myself to continue this story!

Words: 1400+

Genre: gen (this ch), romance & hurt/comfort in the future

Warnings: none

previous chapter / next chapter / AO3

...

Festus barked happily as he and his owner drove to the familiar yard of Waystation. For 4 years, Leo had had the honor of calling this place his home, and even now that he was already 19, he was still as happy to go there as in the first time after finding out that the two wonderful ladies living there would be adopting him. For the first time in 7 years he had felt he belonged somewhere. He had never met his biological father, and after his mother’s death (about which he still did not want to talk) he had been going from foster home to foster home, occasionally running away and living in the streets because the families did /not/ understand him. Not even his own relatives had accepted him.

Finally, his road had brought him to Indianapolis where he had sort of by accident met a family of two elderly women, Josephine and Hemethea (or as Leo knew them, Jo and Emmie), and their adopted daughter Georgina. It had been the happiest accident of his life; somehow the women knew exactly how to handle a troubled and traumatized 15-year-old. As an added bonus, Josephine was just as interested in mechanics as he was, and she had taught him a lot. The now 10-year-old Georgina called Leo her brother and when he was home, she followed him everywhere. Festus, whom Leo had gotten as an 18th birthday present, liked Waystation too: it offered him way more space to run around than the student flat in New York.

The brown haired girl was already waiting for Leo by the door when he got there, and even though she was almost as tall as Leo was (Leo claimed he had gotten his short genes from his nonexistent father), he scooped her into his arms and swung her around a few times. The girl giggled excitedly until she wanted to get back on the ground to pet Festus. Leo complied and soon he was surrounded by his adoptive mothers, both gray haired and strong built for their age. They were worried about whether Leo remembered to eat now that he was living on his own because he was so skinny (“I’m an excellent cook, Jo! Stop worrying!”), but secretly he was happy about the attention he got.

Eventually the family settled down and started asking Leo questions about how things were going in his uni town. He told them everything from his most recent mechanic job to his upcoming courses in the mechanical engineering program, but conveniently he avoided mentioning his new flatmate. Of course his mothers noticed that and looked at each other significantly before asking:

“So, it’s been a while since Jason moved away. Any word on a new flatmate yet?”

Leo did not know what force made him blush (he liked to think he did not blush often), but he did. The thought of his infuriating, annoying, rude… beautiful (he quickly pushed that thought away) flatmate seemed to cause that kind of reaction a little too often for his liking. They had known each other only for a few days and already she was driving him nuts in more than one way. She was arrogant. She seemed to think she was better than him (which, mind you, Leo was not disagreeing with because his self loathing still occasionally got the better of him despite the therapy and his mothers’ attempts to talk to him). She managed to make an argument about the smallest of things and good gods, that girl was still angry about the desk even though he had offered to fix it. What could he do in a situation like that?

But the years as a runaway had also taught Leo to interpret people pretty well, and he sensed that there was something much more under that hard cover that Calypso was holding up. Something fragile and soft that he simply couldn’t reach yet. When she thought Leo didn’t notice, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes that felt very familiar to him even though he couldn’t put a name on it. And damn it if she wasn’t the prettiest girl he had seen at the university campus with that caramel colored hair and dark mysterious eyes. Not that he’d admit that to her. Ever.

He was so distracted by his thoughts he only realized he still hadn’t answered to the question until he felt the burning gazes directed at him.

“Uh… yeah! I do have a new flatmate now,” he finally admitted. The blush seemed to persistently stay on his cheeks.

Instead of asking directly who that mysterious person was, Emmie decided to take a different approach. “Oh… That’s nice, isn’t it? To have someone to remind you to actually go to your lectures and not work 24/7?” There was a hint of warning in her tone; she did know that Leo was still processing a lot in his head, and when things got particularly overwhelming, he tended to drown his feelings into his work and forget to rest. Which, Emmie supposed, was still better than the experiments he had done as a 15-year-old before they finally managed to help him, but at this rate he might burn out some day. There was a lot of fire inside him, she knew, but if he didn’t remember to turn it off, he wouldn’t last long.

Leo didn’t agree with her. “It’s… she’s not that kind of person. She doesn’t really talk to me a lot anyway.”

“She?” Jo asked curiously. Among other things, she was aware of Leo’s soft spot for pretty girls. That would certainly explain why he was blushing and acting grumpy when asked questions about her.

“Focus on the relevant things, Josephine.” Leo usually called Josephine and Hemethea with their nicknames instead of ‘mother’ or ‘mom’ because he wanted to save that word for his dead mother. But when he wanted to let his adoptive mothers know he was unhappy with them, he sometimes used the full name. “I was gonna say that when she does talk to me she usually likes to argue, and it’s super frustrating.”

“Alright, spit it out,” Jo said in her direct manner. “What did you do to the poor girl to madden her so?”

“Hey!” Leo protested, offended that she would think it was all his fault. “Who said I did anything? I didn’t! Well…” he finally gave in, “Festus did… but it wasn’t his fault, the desk was flimsy!”

“Flimsy desk? Please elaborate.”

“We carried Calypso’s desk,” Leo swallowed, realizing he said her name aloud for the first time, and it tasted weirdly good in his mouth. Even though he was mad at her. Which he definitely was.  “… into our flat but I left my door unlocked for a moment so Festus got out of my room and… he may have jumped on it,” he finished sheepishly.

“Oh,” Emmie said understandingly. “But you’re a handy young man; did you not offer to fix it?”

“I did!” Leo grunted. “But she didn’t accept my offer!”

Emmie looked at him thoughtfully. “I don’t know her but maybe she was simply too proud to accept your help. She doesn’t know you yet so she doesn’t know how good you are at fixing and tuning things. But trust me; I’m sure she’ll be more than happy when she sees what Leo Valdez is capable of.”

Leo had to admit that the older woman had pulled from exactly the right strings. That was how you encouraged him to do something.

“Fine,” he nodded finally. “I’ll see what I can do when I go back.”

“Anyway,” Jo smirked slyly. “Tell us more about this Calypso! What does she study? What does she look like?”

“She’s a history nerd and she smells like some spice you often put into your bakings… hold on… cinnamon! But…”

Leo saw his mothers’ expressions and immediately stopped when he realized he had said too much. “That’s it, tía Jo, I know what you’re thinking and I’m saying no. Georgie, Festus, let’s go to play or something. These two seem to have gotten some weird ideas…” He shook his head as he gestured the two to follow him.

When the trio had left the room, the elderly couple burst into laughter. It would definitely be interesting to see what Leo’s story with his new flatmate would develop into, they concluded.